Alexis Thomason
A few years ago, fully virtual art rooms were commonplace. Today, for the most part, art educators are back in-person teaching and creating. However, there are some teachers who stayed completely virtual. How are they faring with online art classes? For insight into this question, the Creativity Department invited Alexis Thomason on the podcast. Alexis is an art educator who is completely virtual! Listen in as she shares some highs and lows of her experiences in the virtual environment. Hear about what transitioning education paths means, the difficulties of fostering student creativity and supporting collaboration virtually, and gather tips and innovative techniques to help.
Listen Now | Episode 186
Karen Salvador
As people involved in creativity, we understand art is tied closely to the experiences of the person creating it. This makes Divisive Concepts Laws a complicated topic for art educators. Where can you find help with implementing rules you may have to follow? How do you manage the urge to censor yourself or your curriculum when it may not be necessary? Karen Salvador, Associate Professor and Chair of Music Education at Michigan State University joins the Creativity Department to shed light on how to demystify the complication of new legislation popping up. Karen and Matt share experiences of navigating and interpreting laws in their respective states as well as tips on working with administration. Listen in and learn ways to preserve students’ creative freedom while staying in line with mandates.
Listen Now | Episode 185
Christy Garton & David Matteson
As educators, we recognize the importance of art museums and the part they play in preserving culture. However, for a variety of reasons, these institutions can seem unreachable, as if they’re only meant for showcasing art and not assisting educators. AND, what if there isn’t access to a local museum or there aren’t funds for field trips? David Matteson, Associate Curator of Education at Rollins Museum of Art, and Orlando Art Educator, Christy Garton are here to change perceptions and help bridge the gap between museums and art educators. They join the Creativity Department to talk about the many ways to use art museums. From lesson plans based on their collections to professional development, listen in and learn what resources are offered to art educators.
Listen Now | Episode 184
Dr. Christina Bain
We know there are teacher codes of ethics that guide what we can and cannot do but those don’t help us understand how you go about making decisions. This leads to the question, what does ethical decision-making in the art room look like? It’s a challenging topic, especially when situations aren’t clear-cut or when students ask questions. Luckily, for this week’s episode The Creativity Department is joined by author and Associate Professor of Art Education Dr. Christina Bain. Dr. Bain is the author of Ethical Decision-Making in Art Education. Available this fall, and covering topics like how to become ethically literate, practicing ethical reasoning skills, and following an ethical path, this book is sure to be a vital resource for developing and understanding ethical guidelines in the art room.
Listen Now | Episode 183
Amy Lee
It’s an all too real fact that some art classrooms aren’t “classrooms” at all, they’re mobile. “Art on a Cart” is commonplace now. So, what if you find yourself teaching art off a cart? For this episode, The Creativity Department invited art educator Amy Lee to talk all about what that’s like! For the past 13 years, Amy has taught art exclusively from a cart. She dives into how she keeps her cart organized between classes and grades throughout the day, successful (as well as some not-so-successful) projects she’s done in the past, and how she keeps her students on task and focused. Listen in for advice from the field on ways to succeed if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Listen Now | Episode 182
Jorge Lucero
With summer in full swing, it’s natural to believe this is a good time to catch up on our own creative projects. However, for many of us, this can be daunting. It’s time to address the myth, keeping up with your own practice is not easy! The reality is creating art with students, using your energy to teach, and day-to-day life can cause us to feel burnt out. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with artist, educator, and returning guest Jorge Lucero about recognizing the fantasies we’ve created around the meaning of being an artist. Listen in for a new perspective on creative practice. Learn why it is important and advice on what striking a balance between art making, work, and life could look like.
Listen Now | Episode 181
Alice Mizrachi
Renowned artist Alice Mizrachi is back! This time she joins the Creativity Department to discuss the Making Murals workshop at this year’s NAEA in Minneapolis. The session focused on how to create collaboratively and make a large-scale mural that is modular and manageable. The mural celebrates Minneapolis’ culture, art, and skyline and is also an homage to Romare Bearden’s masterpiece, The Block. Teachers from across the country came together to use a variety of art supplies, pictures of Minneapolis destinations, and found materials to create a vibrant, inventive, and one-of-a-kind mural that is now being showcased at the Davis Art Gallery!
Listen Now | Episode 180
Laura Conner and Perrin Teal Sullivan
In this digital age, STEAM-powered thinking is more relevant than ever. The different disciplines intersect in many interesting and surprising ways! However, it can be a challenge to find projects to showcase this or fellow educators who are willing to collaborate. That’s why in this episode, The Creativity Department is talking to Professor of Research Laura Conner and Perrin Teal Sullivan, Advisor on Integration of Art and Science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Together, Laura and Perrin work to prove just how closely art and science align. Listen in and learn how the elements of art reflect the scientific principles, how educators can collaborate to create innovative projects for students, and more.
Listen Now | Episode 179
Jason Blair
As summer approaches we’re reflecting on how the year went. Whether you’re focused on what worked well or what next year’s improvement could look like, this analysis requires purposeful thinking. Given the ever-changing needs students have today, the type of evolution success may require, and the distraction we must overcome, our mindset must be one of constantly seeking to learn and grow. Making meaning of our thoughts and actions is a topic this week’s guest thrives on! Listen in as Matt discusses purposeful thinking, reflection, and meaning making with Jason Blair.
Listen Now | Episode 178
Martha Niño
As educators, we witness the impact small actions have on students every day. Martha Niño, our guest in this episode, calls this The Butterfly Effect. Today, Martha is a senior marketing manager for Adobe, an author, and an influential public speaker, but that’s not where her story began. Born in poverty in central Mexico, Martha immigrated to the US at a young age, learned English as a second language by translating for her parents, and prioritized work over school. How did she transform her life? Martha’s story is a prime example of how educators’ drive and creativity—inside and outside the classroom—can shape a student’s life.
Listen Now | Episode 177
Rama Hughes, James Rees, and Frank Juárez
There are so many benefits to maintaining a studio practice as an art educator. But how do you find the time, space, and energy? In this episode, dive into tips, strategies, and personal experiences from three people who have cracked the code for this unique art educator challenge. As a follow-up to their extremely popular NAEA conference presentation, artists, and art educators Frank Juárez, James Rees, and Rama Hughes join Matt and Laura to explore how nurturing studio practice strengthens teaching practice, helps educators relate to students’ experience as well as appreciate their perspective, and helps re-ignite the creative spark that energizes us all.
Listen Now | Episode 176
Frank Juárez
“One of the best advocacy tools is getting published. It has this connotation of being unreachable but is about sharing your story and making connections.” Ever thought about getting published? In this episode hear from the new Editor in Chief of SchoolArts magazine, Frank Juarez! Frank is a long-time contributor to the magazine, award-winning high-school art educator, artist, publisher, art coach, and former gallery director. He joins the Creativity Department to talk about the importance of writing and publishing in the world of art education. Listen in to discover how it benefits the work we do, how to overcome challenges like what to write about, and what to expect from SchoolArts in the near future.
Listen Now | Episode 175
Emily Ban and Luana Palimetakis
Why does participating in ongoing Professional Learning Communities (PLC) develop highly effective arts educators? How does professional learning grow teachers’ ability to develop, facilitate, and sustain a PLC grounded in action research? In this episode, explore these questions as we dive deeper into what it means to be an arts-based PLC leader. Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and The Creativity Department’s Matt Grundler are joined by arts educators from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Dance Teacher Emily Ban and Music Teacher Luana Palimetakis join the conversation about creating positive learning environments for adults and the strong community that develops.
About Connected Arts Networks (CAN): The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students.
Listen Now | Episode 174
Joy Hammond Wright and Hilary Morefield-Colman
Professional Learning Communities are powerful collaborations that benefit greatly from strong leadership. Discover what it means to be an arts-based Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader and facilitator in this episode. Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and The Creativity Department’s Matt Grundler are joined by arts educators from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Drama Teacher, Joy Hammond Wright and Media Arts Educator, Hilary Morefield-Colman explore how they create and maintain a positive learning environment for adults and a spirit of community and collaboration as they nurture leadership across their PLCs.
About Connected Arts Networks (CAN): The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students.
Listen Now | Episode 173
Trinity Villanueva and Sarah Ackermann
We know supporting art educators in the classroom is important, but how do we take that further? How do we foster leadership skills in those art educators and then cultivate their growth? In this episode, NAEA’s Supervision/ Administration Division Director Trinity Villanueva and Director Elect Sarah Ackermann join the Creativity Department to talk about just that! Discover what leadership looks like in art education and how art educators can develop their “leadership chops” in their schools and communities. Explore the unique needs of art leaders, how arts administrators can cultivate growth of up-and-coming leaders, and how that benefits students and school culture as a whole.
Listen Now | Episode 172
Karl Cole
There are words that have become staples across art education and art classrooms—“old masters”, “aesthetics”, “mythology”, “expressionism”. Why is it so important to consider the terminology used with students and who is the authority on what terms stay and what terms become irrelevant? We say it’s you—art educators. That’s why in this episode, the Creativity Department is joined again by Davis Publications resident art historian Karl Cole to talk about the importance of reviewing terms used in the art room. How we talk about artists and their work directly influences the way students understand the art and develop their point of view. Listen in and hear all Karl has to share!
Listen Now | Episode 171
Jarrett Krosoczka
Art is often an escape for people, a way to embrace creativity and express their emotions. And, as we all know if you are serious about it, Art can also be a career. Jarrett Krosoczka is a perfect example of this, Art is both his outlet as well as his career. At a young age, Jarrett knew he wanted to write and illustrate children’s books, which is exactly what he does now! He’s the author and illustrator of the Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy series, as well as the award-winning graphic memoir Hey, Kiddo detailing the complicated relationship with his family. Listen in to hear about the role the art room and art teachers played in shaping Jarret’s life and creative journey. Discover the power art has to build emotional intelligence, connection, and coping skills, right alongside creativity and problem-solving.
Listen Now | Episode 170
Ami Kantawala
Research can feel outside our comfort zone as Art Educators. It’s a far cry from the dynamic world of color and creation we build in the classroom. Often seen as an exclusively scholarly realm, it feels completely removed from the intuitive, hands-on work we do with students. In this episode, Ami Kantawala, Adjunct Associate Professor for Art Education at Teacher’s College, challenges us to reconsider research as a vibrant extension of the creative process. Embracing research as the pursuit of understanding and growth changes the dynamic of how we teach and learn. It allows us to be reflective practitioners using our lived experience, inquiry, and curiosity to deepen engagement with students.
Listen Now | Episode 169
Tim Needles, Sherri Kushner, Kerry Parrish
Springtime means another NAEA National Convention! This year, in Minneapolis, the exhibit hall will look a little different with the addition of a Digital Playground! What is a Digital Playground? Listen in to learn just that from returning guest Tim Needles and Illinois Art Educators Sherri Kushner and Kerry Parrish. Hear about the hands-on experiences available. Experience everything from laser cutting and virtual reality to a cell phone photoshoot and Adobe Express demonstrations! In addition, there will be plenty of opportunities to network with the people running the demonstrations who can provide tips on how to integrate these technologies into your own art classrooms!
Listen Now | Episode 168
Tiffany Silverthorne
Have you heard of Youth Art Month? Do you celebrate it? Throughout March, schools all over the country participate in events to celebrate students’ art. These celebrations don’t only showcase students’ creativity they also create advocacy, raise funding, and bring much-needed awareness to art programs! And the best part? It’s all done locally! Former Vice President of Texas Youth Art Month, Tiffany Silverthorne, joins Matt and Laura in this episode to talk about the benefits of participating in Youth Art Month! Listen in to hear how inspiring it is for students, how to involve the community, and how YAM events create advocacy! Learn tips for easy starter events you can do with your students to start celebrating Youth Art Month!
Listen Now | Episode 167
Gretchen Kaine, Marji Wachowiak, Terese Giobbia
Fashion design is more than clothes; it’s a form of artistic expression, blending creativity, culture, and craftsmanship! In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by the authors of Fashion Fundamentals. Gretchen Kaine, Marji Wachowiak, and Terese Giobbia have decades of experience designing, teaching, and integrating fashion into their own art classrooms. Hear how fashion design promotes interdisciplinary learning, bridging the gap between art and fields such as technology and engineering. Listen in and learn how embracing fashion in the art room can provide students with a deeper understanding of the creative process as well as prepare them for diverse career paths in the arts.
Listen Now | Episode 166
Robin Vande Zande
Why is design important? Kent State University’s professor of Art Education, Robin Vande Zande explains, “When we’re teaching K–12 students or preparing future educators to teach those students we aren’t preparing them to become designers. We teach them about the world through design so that they’ll be educated to make good decisions in the future.” Robin joins the Creativity Department in this episode to share her years of experience and strategies for implementing Design Education in the Art Room. Listen in and learn how to fully realize ideas through brainstorming, research, prototyping, presenting, reflecting, and revising—a.k.a. the Design Process.
Listen Now | Episode 165
Alicia Peters and Mary Bruno
How would you introduce an unfamiliar art form or medium to your students? Would you plan an introductory lesson and learn along with them? Or maybe consider bringing in someone who works with the medium daily to help enhance your student’s experience? That’s what Alicia Peters and Mary Bruno have done! Alicia is Minnesota’s 2022 Higher Ed Art Educator of the Year and Mary is a local artist who owns a letterpress shop. After meeting through a program run by their local arts board that matches artists with educators, they’ve partnered for years to bring unique experiences to students. Listen in to learn from Alicia and Mary’s experiences and discover how to use teaching artists in your art room!
Listen Now | Episode 164
Alexa Wynschenk-Ring and Jessica Lucas
We all want to create positive classroom environments. Protocols go a long way to achieving this! From setting norms that encourage collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect to setting the tone for communication, protocols provide structure and support for students. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler talk with art educators from NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Jessica Lucas and Alexa Wynschenk-Ring join the conversation to discuss their experiences in implementing guidelines for students and teaching respect for others. Listen in to learn how you can apply these philosophies and protocols in your own arts classrooms.
About Connected Arts Networks (CAN): The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students.
Listen Now | Episode 163
Chay Ross and Enoch Robbins
There are many challenges to managing an arts classroom and there is no “correct” way to go about it, but there are some guidelines and tips that can help art educators across the board. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler talk with art educators from The Connected Arts Networks (CAN). Enoch Robbins and Chay Ross join the conversation to discuss how they manage their students and their expectations in their arts classrooms. Learn how you can apply these philosophies and protocols in your own arts classrooms.
About Connected Arts Networks (CAN): The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects has launched a nationwide initiative to create virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The goal of this Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students.
Listen Now | Episode 162
Donna Anderson
There’s no denying that there are common projects and lessons when it comes to the art room. Painting, drawing, and sculpture are just a few that come to mind, but what about a medium that combines techniques from all three? When was the last time you did a printmaking lesson? Donna Anderson, the author of Experience Printmaking, joins the Creativity Department to discuss practical ways of bringing printmaking into your art room! She shares tips and tricks for success and her experience with the medium! With over 40 years in printmaking, Donna shares a plethora of insights, stories, lesson ideas, ways to make printmaking budget-friendly, and much more!
Listen Now | Episode 161
Justin Burns
As art educators, we’re always looking for new and exciting projects to challenge our students. Keeping students inspired and projects exciting requires thinking outside the box and flexibility. It can be challenging to find projects that achieve this in fresh new ways. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Justin Burns about staying versatile and curious in the art room! Justin is an artist and educator constantly working to help his students grasp creativity in new ways including embracing experiences that can be molded into a piece of art. From mixing mediums and styles to collaborating with colleagues and students, learn Justin’s keys to keeping students out of a creative rut.
Listen Now | Episode 160
Paula Liz
Discovering new artists to showcase in our art rooms can be a difficult task, it’s easy to fall into the rut of highlighting the same familiar artists. And they often don’t represent the diverse world of art or that of our students. Luckily, there’s a new resource for elementary grades centered on underrepresented artists from across the world and throughout history! In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by the author, Paula Liz. Throughout her career, Paula noticed the absence of non-Western artists in courses and instructional materials. In response, she’s written Be a Creative Changemaker: A Kids’ Art Activity Book to help students discover new artists, materials, techniques, and styles.
Listen Now | Episode 159
Raine Valentine and Joe Boatfield
Weaving, clay, printmaking…from what we know these are just a few of students’ favorite things! But what are some of the teachers’ favorites? In this episode, the Creativity Department catches up with Joe Boatfield and Raine Valentine of the Creativity Crew to talk about how the school year is going in their classrooms. Listen in to hear what’s been working well, and what’s been adapted as they share some of their favorite lessons, tools, and strategies. Discover tips for tempering students’ expectations of their art, working with different mediums when you don’t have the proper tools and the benefits of working outside your comfort zone as you enjoy learning alongside your students!
Listen Now | Episode 158
Ben Forta
Over the past few years, the use of technology in the classroom has accelerated dramatically. Whether it’s employing tablets or shifting to a hybrid learning model—technology is here to stay. This means there must be a variety of tools in the educator’s box. At the forefront of where education and tech meet is Adobe’s Senior Director of Education Initiatives, Ben Forta. Ben joins the Creativity Department in this episode to discuss visual expression, the importance of CREATING content for consuming (vs. consuming other people’s content), and the tools Adobe provides for creating. Listen in to hear how technology is more than the device to display information, it’s a meaningful way to engage students in learning.
Listen Now | Episode 157
Alice Mizrachi
Have you ever walked by a bare wall and thought to yourself “That would make a great canvas for a piece of art”? So did Alice Mizrachi, so she became a muralist to bring drab urban landscapes to life! Based in New York City, Alice has made countless large-scale murals that take up entire sides of buildings to bring communities together through art. In this episode, she joins the Creativity Department to talk about her work as an artist, educator, and mentee—and how all those things come together to shape the art she makes in the communities she’s a part of. Discover how Alice’s relationships, love of community, passion, and hard work create art that’s enjoyed by all.
Listen Now | Episode 156