Austin Eckstrom is a Junior at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He took two courses of Advanced Placement Art Studio at Champlin Park High School, and soon entered into the fine arts program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. After two and a half years he took a semester off before transferring to MCAD.
He figured out that he wanted to teach during his time at ARCC. His goal is to get a MFA and teach at college level, though he does have experience working with kids at his church (both elementary, junior high, and senior high). With becoming a full-time college professor (or perhaps chair of a department) being Austin's main goal, he feels participating in the Teaching Artist Practicum will help him network, get his foot in the door, and give him experience in the field.