What do you get when two groups of mission-driven creatives band together? A new podcast from The Creativity Department and Davis Publications! Listen to K12ArtChat the podcast and learn from experts in the field during in-depth conversations filled with education innovations, resources, tips, tools, and inspiration to keep you connected and moving forward!
Check out new episodes every Thursday!
Laura and Matt Grundler strive to help connect the dots for educators by building a professional learning network infused with art.
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Find Historic Episodes
Matt Johnson
As art educators, we know one of the most difficult things to navigate is sustaining consistent work, life, and creative balance. Matt Johnson, President of the Maine Art Education Association, joins the Creativity Department in this episode to talk about creating this balance! Enjoy an engaging discussion about the challenges of managing multiple responsibilities and grasp the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout. Dive into the significance of maintaining a personal art practice to stay connected to the creative process, which enriches teaching and leadership. Explore the role technology plays as well as practical strategies to integrate creativity into daily routines. Listen in as we underscore the value of self-care in sustaining long-term engagement in the arts and education.
Listen Now | Episode 213
Amanda Standard & Melissa Hronkin
As educators navigate the ever-changing landscape of arts education, the need to foster emotional strength, adaptability, and creative confidence in students and themselves has never been more important. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi'Jan Celie Tho-Biaz and Matt Grundler ask Connected Arts Network (CAN) members Amanda Standard and Melissa Hronkin to share their experiences and research-backed strategies for fostering resilience as they create empowering learning environments in their respective art forms. Explore how visual and performing arts can serve as powerful tools for social-emotional learning, how they support their students in overcoming challenges, and how educators can build personal resilience while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and joy in teaching.
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 212
Jocelyn Latki & Shelly Cole
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a difference between teaching and coaching, but when you get into the nitty-gritty the differences are evident. In this episode of Connected Arts Networks (CAN) series, Oral Historian Dr. Mi'Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Matt Grundler, and CAN members Jocelyn Latki and Shelly Cole explore the power behind coaching and how it differs from teaching in an arts classroom. Listen in and explore how coaching creates a support system where educators can grow together, exchange strategies, and develop solutions that directly impact their classrooms. From mentorship to peer collaboration, coaching empowers teachers to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of arts education while also building a culture of trust and creative exploration for students.
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 211
Joe Fusaro
How can contemporary art serve as a bridge for dialogue, empathy, and understanding in today’s classrooms? Matt and Laura welcome Joe Fusaro—artist, educator, and co-author of The Visual Experience—to explore the power of contemporary art in fostering meaningful connections among students. Joe shares insights on using thought-provoking artworks to spark conversations about identity, culture, and shared human experiences, helping students navigate complex topics while embracing diverse perspectives. Through storytelling, inquiry-based strategies, and real-world classroom applications, this episode offers practical ways to use contemporary art as a tool for seeking common ground. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will transform the way you use contemporary art with your students!
Listen Now | Episode 210
Karl Cole
Art can be a deeply personal form of expression, which can lead to sensitive topics and varying interpretations. Nuanced understanding when discussing art with students is essential. How do you work through discomfort or disagreements, especially when tackling social or cultural issues? In this episode, Laura and Matt welcome back Karl Cole, Davis’s Art Historian and Image Curator, for a conversation about how to navigate tough topics in the art room. From integrating historical context and how it relates to contemporary art to establishing clear guidelines for respectful conversation, Karl shares artists, artwork, and strategies to help foster deeper artistic understanding within our students.
Listen Now | Episode 209
Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz
Teaching artists are everywhere—in schools, libraries, universities, museums, and so many other places because they’re versatile! To talk about teaching artists, Matt and Laura invited acclaimed Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz in for a discussion. Gain enlightening insight into the powerful intersection of storytelling, art, and education as they chat about the role teaching artists have across arts education. Dive into the importance of honoring artistic legacies, passing down knowledge through mentorship, and fostering spaces where emerging artists can find their voices. Listen in to hear more from Mi’Jan and reflect on how art education bridges generations, carrying forward both tradition and innovation.
Listen Now | Episode 208
Alison Wade
As art educators, we understand the true value of art museums. They help nurture a localized appreciation for the arts, connect us to the world and the past, and introduce us to contemporary work and ideas. In today’s episode, Matt and Laura speak with the Association of Art Museum Directors’ (AAMD) Chief Administrator, Alison Wade. Hear how art museums help foster stronger relationships within communities. Discover unexpected connections they have with non-art fields of study, such as medicine, and how art museums walk a bipartisan line when it comes to advocacy. Listen in to learn how important advocacy is to an art museum and the important role they have in advocating for art education.
Listen Now | Episode 207
Carrie Barnett
Mentoring can be rewarding but challenging. The Creativity Department invited Carrie Barnett, NAEA’s Western Region Vice President, to share her experience and success stories of mentoring in the art education field. Carrie shares her experiences as both a mentor and mentee, offering valuable insights into building meaningful connections, fostering professional growth, striking a balance between guidance and encouraging creative independence, as well as inspiring stories from her own life. Listen in to hear more from this engaging conversation on how we can show the importance of guidance, collaboration, and community to the next generation of art educators.
Listen Now | Episode 206
Dr. Paul Fishwick
AI has become a hot-button issue, particularly in relation to educational settings. Should it be allowed? Is it helpful to the learning process? To dig into this topic, The Creativity Department invited Dr. Paul Fishwick to join them for a conversation. Dr. Fishwick is a Distinguished Chair Emeritus in Art, Humanities, and Technology at UT Dallas (UTD). In his career, he pioneered the area of aesthetic computing, bringing together elements of art, modeling, simulation, and engineering with the goal of exploring new representational approaches. He joins Laura and Matt to share his own experiences using AI in the classroom. Explore the benefits and drawbacks and discover how AI helped infuse deeper critical thinking into Dr. Fishwick’s work. Learn how art educators can do the same in their own classrooms.
Listen Now | Episode 205
James Wells
Crayola defines creativity as “imagination in action.” This is a concise way of looking at creativity because, as we all know, ideas aren’t activated until something is created out of them. For the past three years, Crayola has held Creativity Week to celebrate the joy of imaginativeness we all share! In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Crayola’s Manager of Education Content, James Wells, about the exciting activities Crayola has to offer during this year’s Creativity Week! From using traditional art supplies with innovative technology to ways of partnering with schools and arts organizations, James shares inspirational ideas and how you can participate in the festivities!
Listen Now | Episode 204
Rachel Harrison & Lissen Ellington
Building connections with students can be difficult. NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN) members Rachel Harrison and Lissen Ellington know this all too well. On today’s episode, they share the strategies they personally use to build lasting relationships with students with Mi’Jan and Matt. From starting the year off with an art show or performance, establishing routines and rituals that bring students together, and the importance of representing students’ identities in the artwork they show in their classroom—Rachel and Lissen have a wealth of experience to share. All of it combined shows the value of arts education and how it can impact a student long after they leave the art room.
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.
Episode 203 | Listen Now
Rachel Murray & Malissa Baker
Applying action research to your art classroom can help students feel included. Join us for another episode where NAEA’s Connected Arts Network (CAN) members Rachel Murray & Malissa Baker share how they apply their action research to their art classrooms. From exploring strategies for fostering a sense of belonging among all students to building a community where creativity thrives, making thoughtful adaptations to the environment ensures that every learner feels seen and valued. Listen in as Rachel and Malissa share practical and insightful tips on how small changes can lead to big impacts, empowering students to be their creative selves.
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.
Episode 202 | Listen Now
The Creativity Department
Happy New Year! 2024 felt like it flew by, but a new year means it’s the perfect time to pause for a second and look ahead at what’s to come. In this episode, The Creativity Department shares their goals for the year. From continuing to support the amazing art education community that makes the podcast what it is to the plan for bringing on more dynamic and interesting guests as a source of mentorship, this year is packed with engagement. Listen in to hear the plans for the podcast in 2025. Learn how we’ll be supporting the art education community in new and exciting ways. We hope you’ll stick with us for the ride!
Listen Now | Episode 201
Julian Wade
It feels like we were celebrating our 100th episode yesterday, but here we are at our 200th! To mark the occasion, the Creativity Department invited Davis Publications President Julian Wade on the podcast to discuss the rich history of art education that runs deep through Davis. From printing some of the very first art education resources to publishing the work of legends such as Laura Chapman, it’s evident that art education is the lifeblood of Davis. Discover how the landscape of art education has changed over the last 120+ years, why it’s strong today, and how it will continue to transform tomorrow. Listen in and celebrate art education, art educators, and the legacy of the Davis family.
Listen Now | Episode 200
Joshua Drews
The definition of “Media Arts” seems to change daily. It has evolved from traditional forms of photography and film into complex, digital art forms that integrate new technologies and audience participation. Tools like Photoshop were once cutting edge, today, students work with it and programs like it daily. That’s why the Creativity Department invited NAEA’s Southeastern Region VP, Joshua Drews, to discuss the transformation of Media Arts and its impact on art education. From traditional techniques to the newest digital tools, Joshua highlights how advancements in technology have transformed the way students create, interpret, and share art, as well as how educators can adapt. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the past, present, and future of Media Arts in education!
Listen Now | Episode 199
Katrina Berg
Balancing teaching, creative practice, and personal life is a continuous challenge for art educators. Time demands, mental exhaustion, and artistic pressure are just a few factors that can contribute to a lack of harmony. But, as always, there are folks in the world who can help! In this episode, the Creativity Department invited oil painter and host of the CANDYcolored studio podcast Katrina Berg to talk about how she balances her own life. Katrina offers a behind-the-scenes look at managing a thriving painting practice, the demands of teaching, and raising a family. She shares resources and strategies about time management, boundaries, and prioritizing what matters most, even on the busiest days.
Listen Now | Episode 198
Dr. D’Wayne Edwards
While creative careers offer unique opportunities for self-expression and innovation, they also come with challenges that can make them seem less straightforward or secure. Overcoming these barriers requires education, mentorship, and resources to help students feel confident in pursuing creative paths. Would a conversation with a renowned designer be useful? In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with award-winning footwear designer and former design director for Air Jordan, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards. Listen in and hear how Edwards used art and design to forge a career where he accumulated over 50 patents, designed more than 500 footwear styles for premier entertainers, MLB, NFL, and NBA athletes, and earned numerous honors and awards.
Listen Now | Episode 197
Kimberly Olson and Kyla Davis
Storytelling is integral to all forms of art. When teachers take the time to share their life experiences and tie them to artmaking in the classroom—students feel more connected and open to sharing their stories through art. That’s why NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks believes in the power of storytelling. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Matt Grundler, and CAN members Kimberly Olson and Kyla Davis share how they encourage students to tell their stories through artmaking. Learn how sharing their stories impacts their teaching methods, the challenges students face with identity, and how just observing students in the artmaking process can inform teachers on what students would like to see in the classroom.
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 196
Meghan Wlodarczyk and Martin Rodriguez
Student feedback provides valuable insight into their learning experience. It allows teachers the chance to identify areas for improved instruction, better understand students’ needs, and ultimately create more open, engaging, and effective learning environments. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks believes that student feedback is crucial to creative and successful arts classrooms. In this episode, Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Matt Grundler, and CAN members Meghan Wlodarczyk and Martin Rodriguez share how they foster student feedback in the classroom. By implementing techniques focused on open communication and trusting that students’ feedback is taken seriously, Meghan and Martin have created environments where everyone’s voice is heard.
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 195
Raine Valentine
When you hear the word spirituality do you think of religion? When you look at the definition of spirituality you find they are different concepts. Spirituality is “the quality of being concerned with the human spirit as opposed to material or physical things.” Raine Valentine, Art Educator and Past Chair of NAEA’s Caucus on the Spiritual in Art Education, joins The Creativity Department to explore spirituality as the expression of self. Enjoy this engaging conversation about the direct connection between the art we make, our self-expression, and spirituality. With her personal experience, Raine hopes to shed light on how approaching art making from a different perspective can be beneficial.
Listen Now | Episode 194
Dan Ryder
It can be challenging for students to keep even footing between school and personal life. Increased academic pressure, growing social demands, and the need to manage multiple commitments like extracurricular activities can lead to feelings of overwhelm. Helping students be successful and not burn out takes balance. It feels like an impossible task but as educators, it’s what we strive to do. That’s why the Creativity Department invited Dan Ryder back for a chat. In this episode, Dan shares effective time management strategies, techniques for balancing school and activities, and ideas to aid students in setting creative goals. Listen in to discover new tools and ideas to help you support students.
Listen Now | Episode 193
Illinois Art Education Association
Collaboration is an important skill students learn in the art room! It’s also a highly desirable skill for educators, especially in situations with split leadership. Yes, it can be hard, there is the potential for clashing ideologies and miscommunication. However, the benefits easily outweigh the difficulties. In this episode, the Creativity Department is joined by leaders from the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA). Sarah Ackermann, Nick Hostert, and Chris Grodoski share their experience, and the role collaborative leadership played in the successful restructuring of IAEA. Listen in as they discuss the importance of pinpointing peoples’ strengths to facilitate their excellence and create increased creativity and stronger engagement.
Listen Now | Episode 192
Holly Bess Kincaid
Changing schools can be daunting for students, but what about educators? On top of a new classroom filled with students they also have to come to terms with new routines, colleagues, procedures, and finding the cafeteria. This episode is here to explore what that’s like. Long-time art educator Holly Bess Kincaid recently moved to a new school and shares her experience with The Creativity Department. Listen in to hear her advice on setting creative goals for your students and yourself. Discover the positives of being a long-serving art educator at a new school, as well as the difficulties, as you gather ideas for achieving success at a new school.
Listen Now | Episode 191
Trace Layer Play
Anyone who’s done a research project knows how messy the actual research process can be. This is even more true when it comes to art or creative fields specifically. In the wake of COVID and the adoption of online learning, four PhD students started a collaborative research journey to connect and motivate each other. By 2021, their first exhibition marked the creation of the arts-based research collective, Trace Layer Play! The goal of this community? Expose the messiness of the research process and invite visitors to explore and engage in it through the lens of artmaking. Members of the collective join The Creativity Department to share their journey and talk about the experience of working with 120 middle schoolers during their recent exhibition and how it surprised them in ways they didn’t expect!
Listen Now | Episode 190
Zerric Clinton
We’ve all experienced “Popular Culture” at some point in our lives, but with social media, TV, video games, and movies becoming integral to our student’s everyday life—it’s important to factor in how pop culture can affect them whether negatively or positively. That’s why the Creativity Department invited artist, educator, and author of The Power of Popular Culture in Education: History, Music, and Visual Imagery Zerric Clinton to share his expertise and insights on how pop culture is affecting students today. Covering topics like how is pop culture defined, the importance of accurately representing diverse groups of people in media, as well as the effects of when it doesn’t, how art educators can help students think critically when engaging with pop culture, and what trends could have the most significant impact on students.
Listen Now | Episode 189
Paula Liz
It’s a rare opportunity for students to create art with world-renowned artists, but that’s exactly what happened at this year’s NAEA in Minneapolis. Students from the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) created a collaborative mural with artist Alice Mizrachi! Dive into how this all came about in this week’s episode with Paula Liz, Youth and Preservice Program Manager at NAEA. She joins The Creativity Department to talk about what NAHS is, the projects and activities students participate in, and the opportunities they receive as members (like working with contemporary artists and exhibiting in active gallery spaces). Listen in and discover how to start your own NAHS chapter and much more!
Listen Now | Episode 188
Laura and Matt Grundler
Another school year is upon us, and it seems to get more and more challenging each year! No one knows this better than the Creativity Department. In this episode, Matt and Laura chat with each other about the tips and techniques they’ve used over the years to help prepare their students and themselves for another creative year in the art room. Listen in for advice from the field on everything from time management and setting boundaries and expectations for students, to building an art room that nurtures student creativity. Get ideas for helping students set personal creative goals, making classroom routines, beginning the year lesson ideas, and much more!
Listen Now | Episode 187
Episodes 156–186
In Season 4, we covered everything from mural making (ep. 156) and printmaking (ep. 161) to science in the art room (ep. 179) and ethical decision-making (183). Dive in and enjoy discussions with expert educators across the field and gather insight and ideas to apply to your own practice.
Listen Now | Season 4
Episodes 108–155
Enjoy episodes from Season 3 of K12ArtChat the podcast. Listen in on discussions with expert educators across the field. Hear about everything from Designing Hot Wheels (ep. 108) to how artificial intelligence is disrupting art education (ep. 129).
Listen Now | Season 3
Episodes 60–107
Check out Season 2 of K12ArtChat the podcast and listen in to conversations from experts across the field of education. Learn about everything from student curations (ep. 61) to Neurodivergent Thinking in the Art Room (ep. 94).
Listen Now | Season 2
Episodes 1–59
Dive into Season 1 of K12ArtChat the podcast and hear from experts across the field of education. Enjoy discussions on everything from AP & IB Art Topics (ep. 13) to Teaching Gender Inclusivity (ep. 37).
Listen Now | Season 1