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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Listen to past episodes of The Creativity Department podcast before it became the K12ArtChat podcast.
Find Historic Episodes
Raine Valentine, Candido Crespo, and Joe Boatfield
The Creativity Crew is back! With the end of the school year fast approaching, it can be a stressful time. Candido Crespo, Raine Valentine, and Joe Boatfield join Matt in this episode to discuss surviving the end of this school year and preparing for next year. They’re facing a multitude of challenges that a lot of art educators face this time of year, like changing classrooms, making plans to stay creative over the summer, and keeping students motivated during standardized testing. Discover solutions you can try, like giving students the opportunity to take on projects they’ve been asking for all year and are passionate about. Listen in to hear all their ideas!
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Matt & Laura Grundler
How often do you assess how you’re doing? It’s true when “they” say your tank must be full to take care of other’s needs. But how do you prioritize yourself with so many demands? Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can be hard to integrate into a curriculum but that means you need to focus on it even more for yourself. The Creativity Department addresses this in Episode 127. Listen in as they continue the conversation about SEL from the educator’s point of view. Specifically, hear what taking care of your needs looks like inside and outside the classroom, discover tips on organizing and prioritizing yourself over the summer, and learn how you can support your peers in their SEL work.
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Meg Hickey & Kristie Farr
Very rarely do students feel safe enough to open up and share how they’re feeling in the classroom. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is essential to a student’s development, but it can be challenging to introduce into a classroom setting. Dive deeper into this topic during part two of the Connected Arts Network (CAN) SEL episode. In this episode, the Creativity Department continues the conversation about Social Emotional Learning with two new CAN members. Arts Educators Meg Hickey & Kristie Farr weigh into the conversation about SEL from the Music and Theatre perspectives. Hear the different techniques they use to incorporate SEL into their classrooms. Listen in to learn how they create supportive learning communities where students thrive.
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Cristin Carole and Heather De Koning Foley
Broadly speaking, social-emotional learning (SEL) is a process through which students develop and apply crucial life skills such as confidence, emotion management, decision-making, and friendship. In the third series of Connected Arts Networks (CAN) conversations, we take a deep dive into SEL. As a partnership between The National Art Education Association (NAEA), Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, the goal of this network is to build a sustainable model of professional learning. In this episode, the Creativity Department is joined by Arts Educators Cristin Carole and Heather De Koning Foley for an informative discussion about how SEL has amplified student voice in their classrooms. Hear how they are creating supportive learning communities where students thrive.
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Emily Fox King and James Rees
Nurturing your own creativity can be challenging, especially when you are charged with cultivating it in the minds of students and keeping them engaged in meaningful creating. No one understands that more than James Rees and Emily Fox King. James and Emily are professional artists. James is also a researcher and retired art educator. Both join The Creativity Department to discuss taking care of your creative practice as an art educator. Both bring their unique perspectives to this conversation sharing their experiences dealing with creative risk and being a professional artist, overcoming creative blocks, and more. Listen in to hear strategies you can use in and out of the art room.
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Kris Bakke
Art materials come in all shapes and sizes. As educators and/or artists ourselves, there’s always a reason we use the materials we do. Quality and price are a few ways to make choices about them, but there are so many other things to consider. In this episode, Kris Bakke joins the Creativity Department again. This time, the discussion is about all things related to art materials. Now with Royal & Langnickel Classroom (a.k.a. Royal Brush) as their Art Education Manager, Kris has new ideas about materials for the art room. From what is essential for teaching students to properly caring for supplies, listen in to learn new takes on the age-old question, “Why do we use this kind, what’s the difference?”
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Orlando Graves Bolaños
The NAEA 2023 Convention has officially wrapped! Enjoy this episode highlighting some of the best parts of this exciting event! The Creativity Department and Orlando Graves Bolaños (@SubversiveArts), Co-coordinator for the convention, examine some of the amazing details from NAEA 2023! Hear about sessions they attended, what inspired them, and their takeaways from San Antonio, Texas, as they dive into their personal experience from the largest convention in years. After the last few years of lockdown, social distancing, and uncertainty from COVID, “the conference really hit home; it was a moment to be inspired both professionally and personally.” Listen in to hear their insights!
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Dr. David Moya
Do you have pre-service teachers in your art room? How do you support them? This episode dives into just that topic with Dr. David Moya. A former student of Laura’s and now professor at University of Houston-Clear Lake, Dr. Moya instructs and mentors pre-service art teachers every day. He joins the conversation this week to shed light on how he supports his students in their training and in the art rooms they work. Learn his methods, like how he adds a personal touch by communicating with his students outside the classroom and keeps track of what they’re doing with their own students. Listen in to hear how you can make your own pre-service art educators feel supported!
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Meera Ramanathan
How do you capture students that don’t feel successful in art because they “can’t draw”? Elementary art educator Meera Ramanathan uses literacy. “Art isn’t just about creating,” she says. “Literacy is another way to help students feel empowered.” Meera joins The Creativity Department for an episode about using literacy to help students connect their art to their own life. Through responding and presenting students articulate what they know, how they feel, and what they think. Hear about this, how she differentiates her lessons for different age ranges, and other ways she weaves life skills, art, and literacy into her curriculum seamlessly.
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Christine Miller
How often do you consider how you think? It’s not usually something that’s brought up, but metacognition (thinking about thinking) can have many benefits for you and your students. Fiber artist and retired Art Educator Christine Miller joins The Creativity Department in this episode to talk about supporting students through the process of building skills around thinking. Discover ways to guide students to better understand how they think, so they do it on a deeper, more meaningful level. Christine shares how she developed her practice, the hurdles her students overcame, and the long-term effects she witnessed from implementing metacognitive techniques. Listen in to hear more!
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Karl Cole
There is no doubt History is an important aspect of education. Art History is no different. There are many ways art teachers use it in their practice, inspiring discussion when kicking off a lesson or as a daily warmup with the students for example. To dive deeper into this topic The Creativity Department turned to Davis’s Art Historian and Image Curator for another Coffee with Karl episode. In this episode, they discuss just how important art history is in today’s classrooms. Dive into the relevance of art history and how it is used as a tool to shine a light on underrepresented artists, movements, and cultures in the world. Hear how you can use Karl’s expertise to easily incorporate art history into your program!
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Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Gayle Nicholls-Ali, and Lindsey Baur
The work of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) is challenging. It requires deep care, concern, and attention, without which it’s possible the important work being done won’t flourish. Considering these notions is essential to creating programs that support students at their individual levels. In the second part of the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) ED&I episode, The Creativity Department and co-host Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz continue the discussion with two new guests from CAN. Educators Gayle Nicholls-Ali and Lindsey Baur weigh into the crucial conversation around ED&I from the Visual Arts & Media and Dance perspectives. Listen in to hear how Gayle and Lindsey create diverse and inclusive environments for all learners, honor and encourage student voice and choice, illustrate different (and similar) approaches to art through experiences with artists of diverse cultures, and much more!
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Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Bridget Shepard, and Michael Gordon
Explore Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) in the second series of episodes brought to you by the Connected Arts Networks (CAN). As a partnership between The National Art Education Association (NAEA), Educational Theater Association, National Association for Music Education, National Dance Education Organization, and NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, the goal of this network is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students. In this episode, the Creativity Department and Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by educators Bridget Shepard and Michael Gordon for an important and informative discussion about fostering environments that support ED&I for learners. Hear how these educators are creating transformative discomfort in a solution-bound and caring way while consistently maintaining safe spaces for learners to celebrate their differences.
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Kris Bakke
In 1961, March was established as Youth Art Month to bring attention to Art Education and recognize it as a core factor in a complete curriculum. To this day, its goal remains the same, direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking and expand art programs in schools. In recent years, art educators have used Youth Art Month to advocate for their programs with great success! In this episode, Kris Bakke, Vice President of the Council for Art Education, joins the podcast for a discussion about participating, preparing, and getting the most out of YAM. Listen in to learn effective methods for celebrating and advocating for your art program and the benefits that come from it!
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Candido Crespo, Joe Boatfield, and Raine Valentine
Who doesn’t love to talk about their favorite things? Art educators, students, artists, people in general, EVERYONE has preferences. In this episode, The Creativity Crew is back! Art educators Raine Valentine, Candido Crespo, and Joe Boatfield join The Creativity Department for a discussion about their most-loved items to use in the art room and to engage students. Get the inside scoop on their most recommended classroom-tested art materials, equipment, art lessons, inspirational artists, technology, and more. There’s bound to be something new to take away as you dive into this conversation covering what works best and why.
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Jason Blair
More and more it seems like we are caught in the net of focusing on teaching and learning—delivering info on something you know well and moving down a prescribed path. What about the space in between where relationships, wonder, imagination, and curiosity live. It’s a challenge to connect with your students on deeper levels, many see school just as a place to sit and digest facts, but you can be the change in their academic career! Returning guest Jason Blair joins The Creativity Department to talk about bridging the gap between teaching and learning by creating meaningful opportunities for students to build empathy, creative confidence, and a sense of community in the art room.
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Ruth Byrne
In Math, there is a concept called “Concrete—Representational—Abstract Progression of Learning.” When students learn numbers, they count real objects (concrete), then pictures of objects (representational), and then use symbols like “3” (abstract). In Art, we often jump right to representational or abstract concepts. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with art educator Ruth Byrne about how interacting with concrete objects can lead students to better results representing and abstracting in their art. Hear how Ruth uses Froebel’s methods to encourage inquiry and help students focus on the joy of the creative process instead of the product.
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Jane Dalton and James Rees
Mindfulness can enhance creativity and creative problem-solving, qualities essential to the art room. Do you practice mindfulness yourself or with your students? With the hectic school year in full swing, it can be hard to slow down and take a minute or two to recenter, but there is plenty of data to support the benefits of doing just that. In this episode, Jane Dalton and James Rees, both educators and artists, join the Creativity Department to talk about using mindfulness in the art room. Exercises that only take two minutes can help you and your students regenerate and refocus on the tasks at hand. Listen in to the episode to learn how mindfulness can support creative practice and help your students!
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Misty Kluesner
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of resources to integrate technology into the art room, but which ones are best for students? Misty Kluesner is here to help! As a Creativity & Design Learning Experience Designer, she develops curricula and strategies to help art educators integrate technology into their programs to enhance creativity and innovation. In this episode, discover the ideas and tools Misty uses to help teachers move outside the standard parameters of technology in the classroom. Ever thought about students creating a video essay instead of a written one? Listen in to hear more on how you can seamlessly integrate technology into your art room with Misty’s advice!
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Karl Cole
Have your students asked why studying art history is important? It helps us make sense of the past and connect it to the present, exposes us to cultural diversity, and enhances observation skills. Just spend a few minutes with an Art Historian and this becomes clear. But where do you find an Art Historian? Luckily, Davis’s very own Curator of Images Karl Cole is an Art Historian! We’re excited to introduce a new series featuring Karl. In this episode, The Creativity Department and Karl discuss his unique career as Curator and Art Historian for Davis. Hear about what led him to art education and gather information you can use to introduce this interesting occupation to students.
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Bryan Benedict
Did you have Hot Wheels as a kid? Do your children or students collect them? How cool is it that someone’s job is to design them? That’s what Bryan Benedict thought as a kid and now he’s the Design Lead for Hot Wheels and Matchbox Diecast for Mattel! After working with big-name car companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and GM, Bryan joined Mattel to work with different franchises to make both fantastical and real-life cars in toy form. In this episode, he discusses his career path with The Creativity Department. Listen in to hear about the unique opportunities he’s had to work with celebrities and the steps students can take to start a career as a designer.
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Bill Rembert
“Research has shown that having teachers and school staff of color can help students of color succeed, but nationally only 7% of teachers are Black, and only 2% are Black men (07/2022).” Art Educator Bill Rembert invites us to consider an important question—how many Black male teachers have you had? Statistically speaking, the odds of you answering “not many or none” are high. In this episode, Bill joins The Creativity Department for a conversation about this lack of Black male (and male overall) representation in art education. He shares his personal experiences as they discuss the need for male mentorship within schools and ways of advocating for programs that would fill those gaps.
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Daryl Thompson
Do you have students who are passionate about art, technology, and design? Are they interested in careers that utilize these elements? Then this episode is for you (and them)! The Creativity Department is joined by artist Daryl Thompson. From children’s game animator to creative director for the Houston Rockets, Daryl has always been surrounded by creativity. Now he combines his love of drawing and cars to make highly detailed artwork as an automotive illustrator and is collaborating with the Toyota Dream Car USA Contest to help bring children’s imagination to life! Listen in as Daryl shares his story and provides a plethora of resources for you.
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Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Amber Arnold, Tina Barone
Finding or starting your own Professional Learning Community (PLC) presents many questions. Where do you start, who do you invite, how do you share resources, why is it important? Considering these questions is essential to choosing or creating a supportive PLC. In the second part of the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) PLC episode, The Creativity Department and co-host Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz continue the discussion with two new guests from CAN. They are joined by Amber Arnold, Fine Arts Instructional Coach from Georgia, and Tina Barone, Theater Educator from New York. Listen in to hear their perspectives on creating a PLC, the difficulties they faced, how it benefitted them and how it impacted their teaching.
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Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Kim Hoj, Jared Cassedy
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 the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) is to build a sustainable model of professional learning to help teachers better serve students. We’re excited to bring you an eight-part series in collaboration with NAEA where The Creativity Department will be joined by Oral Historian Dr. Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz. Together they will dive deeply into topics such as ED&I, SEL, and Leadership with CAN teachers and leaders! Enjoy this first conversation with Kim Hoj, Dance and Career Technical Education Teacher, and Jared Cassedy, Performing Arts Coordinator and Conductor of the Lexington High School Wind Ensemble about the importance of PLCs.
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Rebecca Hare
How do you promote creative risk taking in the art room? What are the challenges around designing for creativity and making space for it? Have you taken creative risks in your career that were beneficial? Explore these questions with Rebecca Hare, co-author of The Space: A Guide for Educators and Adobe’s Education Community Manager. Rebecca joins The Creativity Department in this episode to discuss making space for creativity and risk taking in the art room. Listen in to the conversation as Rebecca, Laura, and Matt share their personal stories about creative risk taking. Learn what planning for creativity means and how it helps empower students and inspire educators.
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Carole Drummond-Johnson
Integrating STEM themes into your lessons could be the key to immersing students in art! It’s our goal to reach all learners, and STEAM is a sure-fire way to appeal to students that may not be excited about art otherwise. This week our guest host is elementary educator Carole Drummond-Johnson. She states, “if we are truly about the business of teaching 21-century skills, shouldn’t art & design be integrated with science, technology, engineering and math?” Starting STEAM-focused lessons and projects with elementary students opens them up to new and exciting ways of seeing, thinking about, and using art right from the start. Consider your thoughts on these ideas as you listen in.
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Tim Needles
A lot has happened since Matt and Laura started podcasting 8 years ago. In this episode, they come full circle! Their first podcast guest has returned—author and educator Tim Needles (@TimNeedles)! In the second part of the 100th episode celebration, Laura, Matt, and Tim reflect on how much has changed in Art Education over the past 8 years. Hear about everything from STEM to STEAM shifts and the focus on social-emotional learning to technology integration in the art room and unconventional arts careers! Listen in to join the celebration and discover the importance of having an educator support system and all the benefits a PLN for art educators can offer.
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Matt and Laura Grundler
100 topics covered, 100 guests interviewed, 100 opinions shared … 100 episodes of ideas and inspiration created. WOW! 100 doesn’t seem like a large number in the grand scale of all things, but it is a lot of guests and content pertaining to art education! And it only scratches the surface. In this episode, we are celebrating #K12ArtChat’s 100th episode and the 8-year anniversary of the Grundler’s podcast! They reflect on the amazing guests and topics of the past 2 years, revisit their favorite happy teacher moments, and set the stage for what to expect in the next 100 episodes.
Before you listen in take a second and read a personal message from The Creativity Department - Celebrate with Us: 8 years of #K12ArtChat
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Candido Crespo, Joe Boatfield, and Raine Valentine
Keeping students engaged and on task can be just as challenging as planning for the new school year. If you find yourself missing fun or stuck on how to keep your learners engaged in the lessons, the Creativity Crew might have a solution for you! Raine Valentine, Joe Boatfield, and Candido Crespo have experience with a variety of age groups. In this episode, they share their ideas and experiences. Hear their take on how to make learning authentic, spontaneous, and fun for kids of any grade. From simply sitting on the floor and getting to know students one on one, to delivering a lesson through a cutout of the Mona Lisa, listen in to get creative and unique inspiration!
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Dan Ryder
“When students make connections, transform knowledge, and articulate the reasons behind their creative choices, learning becomes sticky, meaningful, and authentic.” How can you nurture collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking to make learning meaningful? Dan Ryder, author of Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom, does it with project-based learning and critical creativity. Listen in to this episode and learn how using this approach has helped Dan’s students not only develop their creative expression to demonstrate content knowledge and critical thinking but also build relationships and strengthen empathy.
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Dr. Jaime Dombrowski
Creativity and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) go hand in hand. Art has been used to convey messages, themes, ideas, and emotions throughout history—even crossing language barriers. But it isn’t always clear how we can hardwire it into our lessons. In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Dr. Jaime Dombrowski to talk about that exact topic. Author of Power Up: Gamification Tools for Social and Emotional Learning, Dr. Dombrowski discusses using art to promote inclusivity and emotional well-being. Listen in for expert experience on how students can use art to promote empathy, communicate who they are and what they value, and build meaningful relationships.
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Jonathan Seligman
How can you creatively showcase art and another discipline? What are the benefits of collaborating between different disciplines? Can you overcome struggles that can happen when collaborating between disciplines? In this episode, The Creativity Department discusses these questions and more with long-time Music Educator, Jonathan Seligman. Dive into the similarities between Art and Music curriculum, the challenges both face with advocacy, and creative ways the two can support one another to promote the importance arts hold in educating today’s students. Listen in and be inspired with ways to showcase both art and music without one overpowering the other.
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Dr. Cyndi Burnett
There are two perspectives on creativity. Through the lens of art, it speaks to expressing yourself in meaningful ways. However, there is also a scientific side of creativity that focuses on improvement. Integrating these two perspectives is what The Creativity Department and Dr. Cyndi Burnett, Director of Possibilities for Creativity and Education, discuss in this episode! Listen in as they explore everything from the relationship between creativity and the arts, to modeling creative behaviors to students and how creative thinking in the arts transfers to other disciplines. Learn what a deliberate approach to creativity looks like and how that scientific perspective parallels the artist’s process of creativity.
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Matt and Laura Grundler
The one certainty in education is students learn differently. Information is not always received or processed the same way. For some students, this is due to neurodivergence. What does it mean to be neurodivergent? It is when a brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical.” The Creativity Department discusses that in this episode! Both Laura and Matt have been diagnosed with ADHD and have firsthand experience learning to live with the challenges it creates. Listen in as they talk about the different ways they learn, the difficulties they overcame while in school, strategies they use to help their own children, and how all of this is reflected in their teaching.
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Dr. Janice Wyatt Ross
While often used interchangeably, a school’s culture and climate are in fact different. They influence and drive one another for sure, but climate reflects the attitude of the school, and culture show’s its personality. Positive and healthy culture and climate are the strongest evidence of effective and meaningful learning environments. In this episode, Dr. Janice Wyatt Ross, Program Director of the Success Academy in Lexington Kentucky, shares her strategies for building environments that welcome students, provide a positive impact on their engagement and equity, and foster pride and ownership. Listen in for inspiration on how to foster a climate and culture that is both welcoming and nurturing.
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Joe Boatfield, Candido Crespo, Raine Valentine
An art room’s structure can be just as important as the curriculum! Engaging students with the space and materials that surround them. Using your classroom’s layout to your advantage can have a significant impact on students’ time in your art room. The Creativity Crew returns in this week’s episode to talk about classroom structure with Matt and Laura. They share their experiences with classroom layout, material display, and storage. During the discussion, they also dive into how much freedom they allow students to have with the materials during class. Listen in to discover ideas to support all students and engage them in new ways with what they’re learning.
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Connie Jimenez Zammett
How do you inspire students to dive deeper into the thinking around what they create? Every artwork tells a story; and narrative, point of view, language, perspective, etc. support and strengthen the ideas inspiring those stories. On the flip side of that coin, can you simultaneously teach students to make meaningful art about ideas and inquiry while teaching skills? Connie Jimenez Zammett says, “YES! Every skill can be connected to an idea, a connotation, or a suggestion.” As a high school AP art educator, she teaches students at an important time of learning and inspires them to weave that learning into their art. Listen in to hear how Connie does this and how you can benefit from her experiences!
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Matt Dombrowski
A picture is worth a thousand words. The more we can share and showcase that the stronger a student’s voice becomes. This is what makes visual storytelling so important. It enhances student learning and promotes academic ownership, in and out of the art room. In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Matt Dombrowski, Creative Director of Limbitless Solutions, a nonprofit organization providing bionic limbs, training video games, and all sorts of cool inclusive art-based projects for people with disabilities. Listen in to discover strategies to implement more visual storytelling into your art room!
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Alyssa Navapanich
The beginning of the school year is a fresh start! It’s a time to renew with a fresh group of students. How do you prepare for the new school year? What challenges do you face with new groups of students? In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Alyssa Navapanich—CAEA’s 2020 Elementary Art Teacher of the year and the 2021 NAEA Pacific Region Elementary Art Teacher of the Year! Dive into this idea-filled discussion where they share tips and tricks for a successful start of the school year. You’ll also get insight into the difficulties they’ve faced in the past few years with online and hybrid learning. Listen in to find out if you can utilize these strategies!
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What do you get when you mix fierce creative confidence, pure originality, unapologetic dismissal of arbitrary rules, and a love of all things colorful, joyful, and inspirational? You get Momo Pixel, an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and game designer! From the popular interactive annual exhibition called Momoland, to the viral sensation that is Hair Nah, The Creativity Department dives into Momo’s pixel-filled world. Discover the career path she followed to get to where she is today and come away with inspiring ideas and information to share with students. Listen in and learn how Momo uses her bright pixel-art aesthetic and knack for honesty, to address social issues, create joy, and uplift the culture.
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Mary Jane Coker & Shelbye Reese of Alabama Art Education Association
How do you find support for art education in your district? Funding is always good, but what about emotional and mental support? Those are just as important! It’s easy to feel like you’re in a bubble of your own art world, but you’re not alone. Art Educators across the country have the same struggle. That’s why Laura and Matt brought in Alabama Art Education President MaryJane Coker and Social Media Chair Shelbye Reese to talk about where and who they find support from. Whether that support is a teacher of different subjects or administration in their school district, they cover it all in this advocacy heavy episode!
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Raine Valentine, Candido Crespo, Joe Boatfield
Separating the career of an Art Educator and the personal life of an artist is more challenging than it sounds. In this episode, the Creativity Department dives into the nuance of existing in these two worlds. During the discussion, topics such as social media presence, displaying personal art in the classroom room, parent-teacher communication, and more are covered! Listen in as we introduce the Creativity Crew, a small panel of past guests—Candido Crespo, Raine Valentine, and Joe Boatfield—who will regularly join Matt and Laura to talk about hot topics (like this one) that emerge in art education. Discover how you can benefit from their experience.
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James Rees
How do you envision staying connected to the Art Education community after leaving full-time teaching? In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by returning guest and newly retired educator James Rees. James has over 30 years of experience in the art room, but this year decided it was time to explore new avenues! Listen to this informative conversation to get his perspective on the state of art education, how it has changed over the last 30 years, and to hear his experiences as an art educator. Discover what staying connected looks like in retirement and get some ideas to use when goal planning your own next steps.
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Marilyn Stewart
Our curricular choices matter. Not only can they promote a vibrant art program, but they are also an important component in supporting student voice and choice. In this episode, Davis author Marilyn Stewart joins The Creativity Department. Dive into this discussion about using diverse artists and artwork with studio explorations and in-depth investigations to generate a culture of belonging for students in the art room and support artistic behavior. Marilyn shares details from her 50 years of experience writing curriculum and preparing educators for the art room. Discover the important lessons she’s learned and what inspired the core of her teaching philosophy.
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Don Masse
It’s no secret that art teachers can feel isolated in their school communities. It’s important to continuously consider what support you need from your district and administrators! In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Don Masse, Visual And Performing Arts Resource Teacher for San Diego Unified School District. During the conversation, they dive into the importance of visibility and discuss how art teachers like yourself can advocate for their programs as well as strategies to get administration on board with the great ideas you have. Listen in for inspiration on how to nurture this important relationship!
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Laura and Matt Grundler
As the school year comes to a close across the country, The Creativity Department reflects on this year’s guests and the biggest lessons taken away from them. Listen in for a recap of another whirlwind year and hear highlights that include interviews with the author of Wreck This Journal, Medical Illustrator at Harvard University Dorothy Fatunmbi, the founders of Zentangle, and working artists such as Erik Abel. There have been discussions about equity, diversity, and inclusion with NAEA Leadership and episodes to support mental health and emotional wellbeing. The Grundlers have covered miles of ground this year, enjoy this episode and then check out the others over the summer.
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Dorothy Fatunmbi
Do you have students who are passionate about art and science? Are they interested in pursuing a career that utilizes both? Then this episode is for you (and them)! The Creativity Department is joined by professional illustrator Dorothy Fatunmbi. Dorothy is a medical illustrator in the Office of External Education at Harvard Medical School. Hear her journey from wanting to be a veterinarian, to drawing incredibly detailed illustrations that doctors refer to in preparation for surgery. Listen in as Dorothy shares her inspiring story and provides a plethora of resources for you to dive into and share with aspiring students exploring ways of getting a jump start on a STEAM career.
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Rebecca Potts Aguirre
At some point, every art teacher thinks to themselves, “Am I an artist first or a teacher first?”. We all have a different philosophy on this. Do teaching and artmaking intersect for you? In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Rebecca Potts Aguirre—host of the Teaching Artist Podcast! How do you balance being an art educator and a working artist? Does helping students create their art drain creativity or does it inspire you to make your own art? Do you create art alongside your students? Listen in to see how Rebecca and the Grundlers balance the two.
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Natalie Chanel, Tiffany Lin, and Jen Holsinger-Raybourn
Results from a recent survey of 18 permanent U.S. museum collections showed those collections contain 87% male artists. This clearly illustrates the need for a wider representation of women artists. In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by art educators Natalie Chanel, Tiffany Lin, and Jen Holsinger-Raybourn! Learn how they shine a light on female artists in their classes, empower women educators around them, and tackle topics like pay transparency and how to advocate for it. Listen in to hear how they ensure people of other cultures are represented throughout the year as well as how they continue to pursue their art outside the classroom.
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Raine Valentine, Candido Crespo, Joseph Boatfield
Teaching in the month of May is challenging, so much goes on. This makes Teacher Appreciation Week and acknowledging Mental Health Awareness month that much more meaningful. We’ve been thinking about how immensely important these topics have become over the past two years and wondered what everyone in the field is feeling around them. So, this week is reversed! In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Candido Crespo, Joseph Boatfield, and Raine Valentine to develop questions for the next K12ArtChat Twitter Chat about the meaning of self-care, teacher appreciation, and dealing with the difficulties of the past few years.
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Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts
“The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. The Zentangle creators believe that life is an art form and that each person is an artist.” In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, cofounders of Zentangle®. Listen in as Rick and Maria share how Zentangle began and stories from people who credit it for providing increased focus, creativity, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of well-being. Learn how Zentangle is helping students manage stress and the scholarly study focused on the art form and its effect on mental health. Listen in to hear about all this and more!
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Paul Kretchmer and Jennifer Holsinger-Raybourn
The NAEA position statement on Visual Literacy states it is “the ability to interpret, comprehend, appreciate, use, and create visual media in ways that advance thinking, decision-making, communicating, and learning.” Our lives center around visual literacy. These skills are necessary to interpret the world around us—ads, movies, comics, websites, and more. This is why students must have a full understanding of it. In this episode, educators Paul Kretchmer and Jennifer Holsinger-Raybourn join The Creativity Department to talk about Visual Literacy, the skills needed for it, and how we use them to learn, communicate, and navigate our everyday lives.
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Kyle Wood
What is gamification? Google says it’s “the application of game playing elements (point scoring, etc.) to other activities.” The Creativity Department’s guest this week defines it as transforming the classroom into an exciting experience that gets students invested in their learning. Kyle Wood is an art educator and host of the Who ARTed Podcast (@WhoARTedPodcast). Faced with a scheduling change that left him no prep time and an ever-rotating roster of students, Kyle turned to gamification to manage the unexpected challenge. Hear how he uses a gaming structure to immerse students in the academic side of his art program.
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Jason Blair
Jason Blair is an art educator focused on creating a personal and humanistic experience in his classroom. Like all of us, he believes “this discipline is extremely important to our world right now.” Schools focus on preparing students for college and career, but they are also developing active citizens in humanity. In this discussion, The Creativity Department speaks with Jason about the importance of slowing down to make deep connections that students need. Learn about the techniques he implements to build trust, and help students get comfortable with sharing their stories and working together. Hear how you could use these strategies in your art room!
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Alisha Mernick
“Many of us enter teaching using what we ourselves learned in school. If the content was Eurocentric, that’s what is repeated. It takes an intentional examination of our teaching practices to do better.” In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Alisha Mernick, Visual Art and Social Justice Educator, about ways to break this mold. Listen in as they discuss broadening how we look at aesthetics and how to engage students in critical analysis of identity, social justice, anti-racism, and civic engagement issues. Learn how Alisha, inaugural recipient of the NAEA Agent of Change national award, implements liberatory, critical arts pedagogy in the art classroom.
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Holly Bess Kincaid, Jauan Brooks, Jessica Beach
March is Youth Art Month! It is the prime time to remind stakeholders of skills developed in the art classroom and that artists are an asset in society and in the workforce. What does Youth Art Month mean to you and what makes it useful to your program? In this episode, the Creativity Department dives into the benefits of Youth Art Month with members of the Virginia Art Education Association! They discuss what a useful tool it is to advocate for art programs and how beneficial it is when collaborating with students and other art educators. Listen in to hear how you can use Youth Art Month in your art room and with your students!
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Fahmi Khan
Your “why” is the purpose or belief that inspires you. Over time it becomes part of who you are and grows. It matures and changes with you. What is your “why” for teaching art? What makes you passionate about what you do? In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with long-time art educator Fahmi Khan (@FahmiKhan) about art educators’ “why.” Be inspired to think about or find your own “why” during this discussion that touches on transitioning from practicing artist to art educator, becoming an art teacher and the challenges it brings, and the reasons art educators have such strong, passionate, and infectious “whys.” Read the Twitter chat from this episode.
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Anti-Racist Art Teachers
Body image is something we all struggle with. It can be reassuring to know you’re not the only one with those feelings, especially as children. It is essential students see images they can relate to in real-world contexts across diverse social-cultural backgrounds and of all body types working together as leaders in their communities. Representation like this is powerful. In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by the Anti-Racist Art Teachers to discuss affirming positive body image in students. Listen in to learn from their personal experiences and hear ways to empower youth through celebrating differences and making them visible and valued.
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Julie Hasson
Do you have a teacher you remember fondly? How did they impact your school life? Do you think you would be on a different path if they weren’t your teacher? In this engaging episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Julie Hasson about these topics! Julie is a professor at Appalachia State University and author of the book Safe, Seen, and Stretched in the Classroom: The Remarkable Ways Teachers Shape Students’ Lives. She joins Laura and Matt for a conversation about how the principles in her book can be translated to the art room!
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Tim Needles
The NAEA national convention kicks off this week! If you’ve ever attended a conference like NAEA you understand how overwhelming it can be! To combat this, it’s a good idea to arrive knowing what you want to get out of your time there. Having a plan of action, knowing your needs, and understanding what you want most from participating is just the start. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with author, artist, and art educator Tim Needles about how to tackle conference attendance. From methods of implementing new learning to trends, takeaways, and connecting with your tribe, Tim shares expert insight into ways of getting the most out of your experience.
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Ashley Washington M.ED
Incorporating diversity in curriculum is work that must be done daily to ensure classrooms reflect all cultures and communities of learners. Making the conscious effort of continuing conversations of diversity after an assigned “appreciation month” is important to ensure that students feel honored, reflected, and see themselves in states of power. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Ashley Washington M.ED., an Instructional Coach in Plano, ISD. During the conversation, they delve into the question, “If excellence is only celebrated once every 12 months, how do students know the greatness that lies within them the remainder of the year?” A curriculum filled with diversity is the first key to ensuring the fire within each student ignites.
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Daniel Bryant
As educators working in uncertain times, it can be easy to miss the impact we have on students and get wrapped up in “just” covering the standards. While the standards are important what good are they if we don’t know the student and miss connecting with them? In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with elementary art educator Daniel Bryant about the importance of joy in the classroom and connecting with students on a personal level. From individual greetings at the door to rap battles about contemporary artists and impromptu performances to end a design lesson, Daniel Bryant ensures each class is an experience for his students. Listen in to hear how he makes his art room a creative, joyful, and unique place to be!
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Mekka Don
Creativity comes in all forms, fine art and performing art are both art! In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by rapper Mekka Don! From the football field of Ohio State College to lawyer at a top firm in New York City and then MTV and CBS, Mekka Don has pushed boundaries and sparked conversations about non-conventional ways to approach entrepreneurship, mentorship, and race relations. Listen in to hear Mekka Don’s inspirational story as he talks about the struggles he faced, his support system, and influences that helped him create his dream!
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Ray Yang
While the work we do around the topic of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is some of the toughest work we do as educators, it is deeply important and continuous. We must remember that this work isn’t done by any one person, these issues won’t be solved by ourselves. We must build alliances, be curious, and stay open. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks to an important ally we all share. Ray Yang is the NAEA Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion and Special Initiatives. Ray offers tips to help facilitate conversations about ED&I with students in the art room, including ways to navigate when the conversation gets tough. They discuss why ED&I seems to be “an art education thing” and share valuable insight into what NAEA is doing to support art educators.
Access all NAEA ED&I resources on that section of their website.
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Raine Valentine
“Self-expression is what life is all about. To grow and learn, we must express ourselves. It helps us process our experiences.” Self-expression inspires others (students) to do the same, which in turn allows them to tap into those questioning places and find out who they are. In this episode, Art educator and artist Raine Valentine joins the Creativity Department. During the conversation, Raine discusses her Chippewa heritage and how it inspires her. Learn how indigenous philosophies have informed her creativity and support her belief in self-expression and how it creates a connection between us.
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Michael Cohen
We are in a time with emerging technology where the digital world is poised to make a seismic shift. If you are looking to provide unique and interesting connections between art and everything that is “more than art” in education investigate NFTs. What is an NFT you ask? At the most basic level, NFTs are digital assets that can be owned and tracked. But how is this relevant to education? In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with educator, author, and consultant Michael Cohen, The Tech Rabbi. Listen in to learn what NFTs are and how they can be an effective tool in engaging learner curiosity and sustained investigation. The power of NFTs is in creating the Art and using it to mentor students in storytelling, marketing, and developing community.
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James Rees
Involving students in the production process of exhibiting their artwork is a meaningful way to illustrate one of the many career options available to students in the arts. It is also a great way to show what students are learning in your program, provide them with critical thinking opportunities, and make your program more visible. Advocacy outside of the classroom is important and one of the best resources for that could be down the street at your local art gallery or museum. Enjoy this informative conversation with returning guest, James Rees, artist, researcher, and teacher. Hear about student curation, partnering with local museums and galleries, and the benefits this has for students both in school and after graduation—even if they aren’t planning on a career in the arts.
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Laura and Matt Grundler
A new year calls for a little reflection, a lot of planning, and of course celebration. To kick off 2022 The Creativity Department looks back on the challenges and successes of the last year and discusses plans for starting the new one on the right foot. Listen in as they share some giggles, thoughts on the coming year, and a little “This or That” from teachers in the field. Happy New Year!
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Erik Abel
From branding and target market to pricing and style, there’s a lot to consider when you sell your work commercially. How do you answer questions around these topics for students if you don’t have solid answers for yourself? In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with professional artist and designer Erik Abel. Working from Southern Oregon, Abel’s pieces have been featured in galleries across the country and abroad while his commercial work has attracted clients such as REI and Patagonia. Listen in to learn how this successful artist found his way to the world of commercial art and stays true to his own artistic passions as he navigates the business of Art.
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Candido Crespo
Our personal communities have gotten us through many challenges over the last two years. As educators, artists, and art advocates our creative communities have played as important a part in our lives. Not only have they supplied motivation, constructive criticism, encouragement, and a consistent check on reality, but they have also provided support, acceptance, and a space to rest. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Candido Crespo, Artist, Art Educator, Podcast Host, and creative community champion. Listen in and hear all the benefits a creative community provides and why it’s so important to be involved in one. Your voice matters, share it.
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Nancy Walkup and Frank Juarez
Getting published may be the best thing you do for your career. In addition to advocating for your art program, you are sharing your ideas with thousands of art educators throughout the world! When you are published you demonstrate your professionalism. You are instantly recognized as an author and become part of art education history. This week The Creativity Department speaks with Nancy Walkup, Editor in Chief, and Frank Juarez, Contributing Editor, of SchoolArts magazine. Learn about how easy it can be to get published, why it is so important, and all the beneficial things it can lead to (invitations to present, books, etc.).
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Kelly Crow
Even Rembrandt and Picasso were obsessed with the price and market reception of their art. The two are ever intertwined. Museum donors and curators follow auctions and note who’s selling! These days young artists are breaking out in the market first, then leveraging that clout to get shows. In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Kelly Crow about introducing the ins and outs of the business side of art. We shouldn’t feel wary about mentioning money when it comes to teaching art. Money reveals what we value as a culture. We owe it to students to immerse them in all aspects of art—creating, promoting, critiquing, selling, and buying art.
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Jeannine Flores
In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Jeannine Flores, Vice-Chair of Create CA. The mission of Create CA is to “advocate for high-quality arts education for all students by providing policy expertise and by mobilizing a statewide network of advocates and allied partners.” As they state, “arts education is a crucial part of a federally mandated well-rounded curriculum. It’s essential that all students receive a robust education to become 21st-century employees and problem solvers.” Listen in to this informative conversation about building vibrant and visible local alliances that spark partnerships and spread art advocacy. Learn how Create CA is working to ensure every student receives a complete and creative education.
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Keri Smith and Carrie Baughcum
The Creativity Department is joined by Keri Smith, author of Wreck This Journal, and Carrie Baughcum, author of My Pencil Made Me Do It! Both books have been used by teachers and students across the country. While My Pencil Made Me Do It focuses on using sketch noting in the classroom to reset mindsets, enhance thinking, and improve retention, recall, and comprehension, Wreck This Journal delves into using journaling for self-care and engaging fully in the creative process. Hear the authors’ perspectives on turning simple journals into unique personal artworks. Matt and Laura share their experiences with both books and how they use journals as educator self-care.
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Laura and Matt Grundler
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there’s been so much talk about self-care and positivity. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by reminders to stay happy and take care. We all thought this year was going to be easier, but it hasn’t been. So, how do we stay realistic and authentic about our feelings AND acknowledge the joy? It can be done, but it takes focus and intention. To quote one of our K12Art Chat community members, “Don’t try to do it all. Find one thing each day that you can do with joy and success. Find something positive about different situations. What you feed grows.” In this episode, we celebrate joy and ways to recognize it, remember it, and tap into it! Use this link to read the Twitter chat from this episode.
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Wanda Knight, Ray Yang, James Haywood Rolling Jr., and Mario Rossero
In this episode, The Creativity Department continues its conversation with NAEA Leadership about the important work being done in support of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This meaningful conversation, driven by questions and topics sent in for discussion from art educators in the field, continues to explore how we must “promote diverse voices and viewpoints that inform professional praxis for social change toward imagining and shaping a more equitable future.”
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Wanda Knight, Ray Yang, James Haywood Rolling Jr., and Mario Rossero
In their ED&I position statement, the National Art Education Association (NAEA) states they are “dedicated to promoting diverse voices and viewpoints that inform professional praxis for social change toward imagining and shaping a more equitable future.” In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with NAEA Leadership about the important work being done in support of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This meaningful conversation, driven by questions and topics sent in for discussion from art educators in the field, dives into the detail we all must deeply consider when thinking through the work to be done in our lives and classrooms. From thoughtful insight to support and resources, this discussion is packed with strategies you can put into use today.
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Keisha Casiano
Keisha Casiano states, “A student is not defined by their learning ability. A learning disability represents one area of weakness, but there are many more areas of strengths.” Keisha is an elementary art teacher in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the guest for this conversation with The Creativity Department. During the discussion, she shares her inspirational story about her learning disabilities. Learn how she uses her experience and understanding to teach her students about mindset and to be proud of who they are. You’ll discover resources and strategies for advocacy and building relationships with your students as she shares how her struggle with reading and writing led her to discover her passion for art.
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Dr. Dorothy VanderJagt
“Teaching is a practice that we’re constantly honing as we learn and grow. But one of the things we aren’t doing enough is watching other teachers teach. Observing what colleagues do in their classrooms can be a huge benefit to both your practice and your students’ learning.” When PD is embedded in the day—for example during learning walks or during staff meetings—there will be natural connections made that will ultimately support students. In this episode, The Creativity Department talks with Dr. Dorothy VanderJagt of iFireUp about embedded professional learning. Dive into the importance of developing a culture of trust among colleagues to ensure a safe space exists for meaningful professional learning that is built on this trust and the ability to safely cross-examine and collaborate.
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Orlando Bolaños
“Knowing the culture of our students, their stories and heritage is an important aspect of connecting and building relationships, but also a way to help students create art with meaning to their lives. Students’ lives and stories are relevant to their learning!” In this episode, Orlando Bolaños speaks with the Creativity department about Social Engagement Practice, how our art rooms are mirroring the diversity of our students, and how Culturally Relevant Pedagogy can be used to achieve teaching goals. Discover how curatorial practices and a student’s own identity can be used to meaningfully support students, develop strong relationships with them, and advocate for their growth as a whole person.
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Sandra Munoz and Esmerelda Fernandez
Identity is ever-changing and fluent, it’s what makes us human. It’s made up of elements you can and cannot see. Culture, race, religion, experience, and beliefs are all factors that build a person’s identity. With student populations becoming more and more diverse every day how do we recognize and support the vast array of identities present in our school communities? Dive into this episode for more on this topic! The Creativity Department speaks with Sandra Munoz and Esmerelda Fernandez, bilingual art educators from Plano, Texas. Hear their experiences with ELs, the communities they come from, and how the art room can help acknowledge and honor the diversity of all cultures and help students find their personal identities.
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Dr. Desiree Alexander
If you’ve been teaching for longer than a week you know each class has its own collective identity. What works for first period may not work for third period. Each student brings their own pieces of who they are to the class with different perspectives, opinions, and experiences. As educators, it is our job to create spaces where students feel safe to share their individuality and become part of the class community. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with educator and consultant Dr. Desiree Alexander about how to connect students to each other and their lives to what we do in schools. During the conversation learn ways to promote the sharing of students’ individual identities and why collective culture is important. Discover methods to ensure a class is inclusive and can handle social-emotional stressors from the world. Teaching our students about these things automatically validates their identities and encourages them to broaden their perspectives.
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Tiffany Beltz and Devon Calvert
Before the start of the much-needed summer break, The Creativity Department spoke with NAEA Elementary Division leaders Tiffany Beltz and Devon Calvert about ways to support Elementary Art Educators. During the conversation, Tiffany and Devon share how being involved with your national and local associations are some of the best ways to grow in your career. Discover the importance of engagement and collaboration with other educators. The community gained through your state and national organizations is essential. Listen in to hear about the benefits of having an entire community of educators ready to share ideas, inspire creativity, and collaborate with across your state and the country.
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Dr. Heidi C. Powell
Cultural continuity is how people use the arts to maintain personal, community, or national identity over time with global art cultures. In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Dr. Heidi C. Powell, recipient of the FAEA Higher Education Art Educator of the Year Award. During the conversation, Dr. Powell delves into her research on cultural continuity and what it means to hold true to traditions and heritage in a contemporary way. During the discussion, Dr. Powell examines her own Native American (Lenni Lenape) and Norwegian heritage and traditions. She explains how we all create national and community identity through art making practice and what art practices help us maintain those connections. Discover how cultural continuity creates embodied learning for students and promotes personal culture with value, breeds efficacy and confidence, and nurtures ways of being that can’t be taught.
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Sean Justice and Andrea Kantrowitz
Andrea Kantrowitz, this week’s guest, shared a quote from a fourth-grade student that sums up this episode: “I thought art was only about making pictures, but now I see it’s really about social studies, history and math, and how everything is connected.” From Kantrowitz: “I think the more you enable children to make these connections for themselves, the more it becomes their knowledge, and they are empowered by that understanding of the world.” Think about how you create truly in-depth learning and connections for students. In this week’s episode, the Creativity Department talks to artists-turned teachers Sean Justice and Andrea Kantrowitz about multimodal and collaborative learning. Listen in and learn how always using all ways of learning with students gives them the chance to apply all their understandings to address questions and solve challenges.
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Manuel Herrera
Storyboarding is for more than filmmaking and telling stories. It makes thinking visual! It illustrates your thought process and assists in the organization and development of ideas. Over the years, it has evolved from pencil sketches on paper with hand-drawn boxes, to notecards and sticky notes, to digital solutions online. This week’s K12ArtChat episode focuses on the many uses and benefits of using visual-thinking strategies, sketchnoting, and storyboarding to develop and fully immerse in the creative process. The Creativity Department speaks with Manuel Herrera, Coordinator of Learning Services for the Affton School District in St. Louis, MO. Manuel is an educator, a speaker, and an illustrator who specializes in sketchnoting, visual thinking, and design thinking. Listen in for ideas on how to implement his strategies with your students.
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Mike Call
The summer is winding down sadly, and the new school year is looming or has just started. Some of the country is returning to in-person learning, but hybrid classrooms are still a reality for many places. There’s no denying there was a lot of learning last year, and some great tools and programs emerged. As you face what this school year holds, take a few minutes to hear about platforms that can make life and communication easier. The Creativity Department speaks with educator Mike Call (@MikeCallAngelo) about how digital tools like Padlet and Flipgrid have become mechanisms we rely on for classroom management, communication, and bringing students together.
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Chris Gadbury
Sketch noting, visual journaling, using drawing for deeper understanding, creating stories to introduce global issues to little kids—learn about all these topics in this episode. The Creativity Department discusses using creativity to process large problems and develop meaning with author and educator Chris Gadbury. From his elementary art room in Hong Kong to the pages of his children’s books and the TEDxYouth@Jingshan stage, Chris Gadbury uses drawing and a specialist approach to understand and problem solve global challenges with students all over the world. Listen in to learn about the work Chris does with students and teachers promoting student agency and creativity while tackling issues facing the world today.
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29 Pieces and The American Love Project
“What happens when people in 50 states combine lessons of love with powerful visuals to create and share art?” Karen Blessen, founder of 29 Pieces and creator of The American Love Project says, “You’re about to find out.” In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Karen and Judy Stone-Nunneley, Visual Arts Coordinator for Grand Prairie ISD in Texas. Tune in to learn about The American Love Project, a nationwide public art project designed to illustrate the power of art to transform communities. Art has the power to change the world by inspiring compassion and resilience. Discover how this project works to heal, awaken, educate, and create positive social change. And how you, your school, and your community can participate.
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Cathy Topal
If you currently teach or have ever taught at the early childhood level, this episode is for you! The Creativity Department speaks with author and educator Cathy Topal about early childhood art education and the Reggio Emilia approach, a constructivist approach to teaching with an emphasis on self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. Cathy discovered the Reggio approach early in her career and during this conversation shares the story of how it became her life’s work. Discover her strategies for guiding explorations of art materials, building community, approaching design with young children, and what she defines as an open-ended lesson. Listen in for inspiration that can be used with students across all grades.
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Hall Rockefeller
“Let’s play a game. Name five female artists... and one can’t be Georgia O’Keeffe.” This question drives the work of our guest this week, Hall Rockefeller. Hall is an art historian and the founder of Less Than Half, an online platform created to proactively address the lack of information that exists about female artists. During the conversation, The Creativity Department explores themes such as supporting female and non-binary students as artists, how to teach about intersectionality through art, and avoiding stereotypes. Enjoy this episode filled with insight and information about the importance of uplifting under-represented voices. When we honor, appreciate, and learn from the creative spirit of all people we move closer and closer to equality.
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Kurt Klynen
Summer Break isn’t exactly a “holiday,” but it should be after the 2020/21 school year! The Creativity Department is on vacation this week, so we’re bringing you a summer holiday episode. Filled with simple, doable nuggets of advice to keep you moving forward and learning, this episode is meant to provide inspiration for the second half of 2021. As a Learning Experience Designer, Kurt Klynen believes it’s good to be inspired by people and, in turn, to do the same. In this episode, recorded earlier this year, The Creativity Department talks with Kurt about ways creativity can be used to shape experiences, inspire the work you do, and get us through anything.
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Laura and Matt Grundler
During this year of COVID, it was important to know when to disconnect and step away. We needed to make conscious efforts to hide the phones and devices and turn off the computer. Now it is the end of the hardest year ever, and it’s time for us all to take a breath and stop. That’s right, we said it—it’s time to stop. We’ve heard “take care of yourself” and read about the importance of “self-care” so often it’s become the education equivalent of corporate babble speak. So in this episode, Laura and Matt talk just a little about what they did this year to take care of themselves and share suggestions teachers like you offered up during the Twitter chat on June 10th. Most importantly, they encourage you to do everything you can to shut it all off and enjoy some downtime!
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Joseph Boatfield and Kevin Hsieh
During the June 17th Twitter chat, Joseph Boatfield and returning guest Kevin Hsieh facilitated a conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in the art room. They posed the question, “Do you have LGBTQ+ students in your classroom?” The answer is yes, there have always been LGBTQ+ students. The chat covered inquiries about stereotypes, how to navigate the topic with administration, and how to show support for students. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks candidly with Kevin and Joseph to get their own perspective on the questions they asked, as educators and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Listen in for powerful insight and discover exceptional resources to help you build relationships with and safe environments for all your students.
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Craig Yen
Because students live in a digital world, they must learn how to create content responsibly. Before they share their thoughts with the universe, it is important to teach them how to do it correctly and with purpose. This week, the Creativity Department is joined by Craig Yen. Craig is an elementary classroom teacher who infuses art into everything he does. He understands the importance of creativity, creating, and making sure students have a voice and outlet in his classroom. As everyone has traversed this last year, he made sure his students had even more art to help them navigate the constant changes. Listen to this idea-filled conversation for information, advice, and resources on engaging students in the process of creating content around topics important to them.
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Carlos Cruz and Tara Rousseau
Have you heard statements like “it seems the LGBTQ+ student population is growing”? So have we. The thing is these students have always existed! What is growing is bravery, awareness, safety, and the vocabulary with which students can express their lived reality. The art classroom is a special place where students can feel safe, seen, and included. To keep that statement true, it’s important to constantly learn, grow, and be comfortable with being uncomfortable. In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Carlos Cruz and Tara Rousseau from the NAEA LGBTQ+ Interest Group. During the conversation, they offer inspiration, ideas, and advice on ways to break through the discomfort, connect with students, and help them thrive. Discover readily available resources that will explain LGBTQ+ issues and help you understand what students need to be successful.
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Dr. Ryan Shin and Dr. Kevin Hsieh
Recent waves of discrimination and prejudice due to the pandemic have created an even greater need for education and resources in support of Asian culture. But how does an educator who isn’t sure where to begin respectfully and honorably incorporate Asian art, culture, and artifacts into their curriculum? In this week’s conversation, the Creativity Department speaks with Dr. Ryan Shin and Dr. Kevin Hsieh about ways in which this can be achieved. Ryan and Kevin both teach Art Education at the university level and serve on the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Asian Art and Culture Interest Group (AACIG). Because of the tension and turmoil being experienced, in this episode, Ryan and Kevin address Asian culture, the importance of educating students on Social Justice and diversity, and resources to help you create successful lessons to cover these important topics in your classes.
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Adam Sáenz
Creativity is directly linked to emotion; it fuels inspiration and the creative process. Creativity and art provide a format to enter emotion, experience emotion, and express it in a way that is not hurtful to anyone. The past year and a half have been tough on everyone, but art and creative expression have eased the anxiety many of us are facing. In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks to veteran psychologist and author Dr. Adam Sáenz. Adam Sáenz specializes in creative writing to expand emotional intelligence. During the conversation, you will hear his thoughts on how creativity can be used to increase emotional intelligence and address mental health.
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Justin Pierce
Have you considered adding digital arts to your program? While this moment in time is especially different, it may be the perfect time to leverage Media Arts as a tool for working with your students during remote/hybrid learning. Because it is digital, Media Arts is incredibly flexible and provides endless possibilities for student engagement and ownership. But Media Arts IS challenging, it requires educators to be open, learn new things and be ready to constantly pivot. In this episode, the Creativity Department interviews Justin Pierce, a dynamic art educator who has had great success developing a Media Arts program that creatively engages students of all abilities—REMOTELY. Get an inside perspective on the challenges, pros and cons, and successes of developing and teaching a Media Arts program in unprecedented times.
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Carl Hooker
This year has been a remote learning whirlwind filled with struggle and doubt. But has there been success too? As we begin to slowly transition back to in-person learning, it’s time for a conversation with educator and consultant Carl Hooker. The Creativity Dept. and Carl discuss learnings and dare we say advances achieved this year. From student-driven learning to thoughtful technology integration Carl’s insight is a driving force for change in the classroom. How can we ensure there is opportunity for interspace learning and keep the advantages discovered over this year? Enjoy this episode filled with ideas.
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Leah Smith and Michael Townsend
The Tape Art movement originated in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1989 in the form of large-scale, collaborative drawings created out of tape in public spaces. In the years since then, Tape Art has opened the world of innovation and collaboration to thousands of students. From brainstorming to critical thinking and problem solving, Collaborative Tape Art has countless benefits! In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Leah Smith and Michael Townsend of the original Tape Art Crew. Listen in and learn about the importance of experimentation, thinking big, working together, and taking risks for students of all abilities across all grades.
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Kasmira Mohanty
Digital art IS art. Why does it seem like it is considered lesser than traditional art? We don’t have to abandon traditional art-making to include digital techniques in our practice. The two can meld into one space and enrich students’ experience at the same time. But the perceptions of digital art can be hard to overcome and hurdles such as lack of training, fear of technology, perceived value, labeling, and fear of “failing” all make the idea of including digital techniques daunting. In this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with Kasmira Mohanty, Digital Artist and Art Educator, about how to get past the perception of digital art and why it is important.
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Dan Ryder
Critical creativity is the idea that the act of creating is inherently critical thinking and requires higher-order thinking. Creativity is going to change the world! Those who understand this know that making meaningful opportunities for it in all areas of learning is imperative. This week’s guest isn’t an art educator. Dan Ryder comes from an English background, is an expert in project-based learning, and infuses creativity into the work he does with students a different way. He connects everything and uses creative expression to deepen understanding. Listen in for a different perspective on the importance of creativity as Laura and Matt dig into how Dan always finds time for building experiences that go deeper and allow for expansion.
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James Wells
The arts offer equity in a different way than any other class, through creativity and the process of making. Focusing on the fact that an artist is anyone who communicates ideas well unlocks equity and gives students the opportunity to be openly creative. Allowing students to bring their authentic selves to the classroom, dig into their identity and culture, and discover who they are is essential. In this week’s episode, The Creativity Department speaks with James Wells, Innovative Teaching and Learning Manager at Crayola, about the topic of equity and the importance diversity and inclusion have in creating it.
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Bette Naughton
Reaching students with physical or developmental differences can be challenging, but the art room is a space where they can go to feel valued for who they are and express themselves. How can you work through a student’s ability? By focusing on what they can do instead of what they cannot to ensure success in art making. In this episode, the Creativity Department discusses adaptive art with author and educator Bette Naughton. Learn how to focus on the potential of all your students and think with an adaptive mindset. Discover available resources to create a network in your school or district, and develop strategies to remove roadblocks impeding student learning and creativity.
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James Haywood Rolling Jr.
After a year filled with crisis, it is time to revive ourselves. We know the arts are far more important to students (and the community as a whole) than is acknowledged. However, despite being consistently under-valued, there is no denying the arts are the catalyst we need to start fresh and re-energize. In this episode, the Creativity Departments speaks with NAEA President James Haywood Rolling Jr. about the importance of recognizing the arts as the power needed to create social change, build resilience, rehab our minds and spirits, break down systems that hurt us, and inspire the champions around us.
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Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Anna Rochester
Social Justice is a commitment to challenge cultural, social, and economic inequality. Social Justice impacts everyone. Learning about all races, religions, and identities helps students and their communities embrace differences and be more inclusive. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Anna Rochester about why making Social Justice Action visible in your school and community is vitally important. Discover how the need to connect and understand and one idea sparked school and community-wide action to help students explore their concepts of identity, build empathy, and understand Social Justice in non-confrontational and enriching ways.
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Crocodile River Music
Connecting students to a culture through art is a powerful way of valuing the history and heritage of a culture. “It’s important to learn about art traditions in their own right and not in comparison to other traditions. Diversity in art helps students see varied approaches to how people engage in the world and solve problems.” In this episode of K12ArtChat, The Creativity Department speaks with Crocodile River Music about culturally connecting. As visiting artists, Crocodile River creates experiences for students that provide a chance to understand African culture and traditions through art and music. Listen in as they explain what “NOT being a tourist of art” means and how important it is to understand the hard work and history behind making art.
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Tricia Fuglestad
Engaging students in a virtual or hybrid classroom takes imagination. It’s hard right now, be as kind to yourselves as you are to your students and consider goals for the year from a different angle. You make a difference in your students’ lives simply by connecting with them and making sure they are seen and heard.
In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Tricia Fuglestad. Tricia shares great ideas and tips she uses to keep her students engaged as well as encouragement for everyone out there. Remember, you’re not lowering expectations, you’re creating less stressful and more achievable ways of working together.
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Anti-Racist Art Teachers
The Anti-Racist Art Teachers work towards removing biases, stereotypes, and false narratives in art education. Having an anti-racist curriculum “isn’t achieved with a checklist,” it requires attention all year long. In this episode, The Creativity Department interviews Abby Birhanu, Francesca Levy, and Paula Liz from the Anti-Racist Art Teachers group of educators. Listen in and discover information that will support how to build an anti-racist classroom environment in a way that is responsible and student centered.
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Al Thomas
Students (and teachers, administration, parents, all of us) are struggling to process what is happening in the world these days. How can visual storytelling and creativity in general help? In this episode, The Creativity Department interviews Al Thomas, educator, principal, and visual storyteller. Listen in to the discussion about how creativity in the classroom provides opportunities for conversation and can help students process emotions and develop their own EQ. Through visual storytelling students can slow the world down, process emotion, and engage fully in a moment.
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David Gorden
Art is storytelling. Creating authentic, honest, and real characters takes research, patience, and a whole lot of being careful. This week, The Creativity Department speaks with sequential artist and author David Gorden. In this episode, they discuss the importance of asking “why” questions during the process of character development to avoid stereotypes, and the value of understanding the “rules of art” before you try to bend them.
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Trevor Bryan
Generally speaking, we all struggle with open-ended discussions. More than ever, we are afraid to be wrong. This week, The Creativity Department speaks with Trevor Bryan (@trevorabryan), author of The Art of Comprehension. Learn new techniques and strategies you can implement to engage students and help them open up, connect to art and the world, and have meaningful discussions in the process.
Read the Twitter Chat discussion.
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Connie Jimenez Zammett
Investigation, experimentation, and communication are skills used by all artists and designers. Developing these skills is the focus of AP & IB Art programs. This week, high school art educator Connie Jimenez Zammett (@conniedraws) discusses AP & IB Art with Laura and Matt. While demanding, these programs challenge students to ask questions and inquire deeply about their process, empowering them to be independent thinkers.
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Michael Hernandez
During this episode, Michael Hernandez (educator, speaker, and author) comments “students are hungry to do something that is relevant, meaningful, and that has purpose.” Listen in to the conversation with Michael as the Creativity Department digs into how graphic novels (a.k.a. sequential art) can help students do just that. Graphic novels have the potential to empower students to tell their stories and help them engage with important questions about life, experience, and art.
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Kelly Young and Karen Caswell
The difference between engaged and empowered students boils down to what you do for them versus what they do for themselves. In today’s world of constant distraction, students must be intrinsically motivated to buy into their learning. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Kelly Young (@teachthisorthat) and Karen Caswell (@kcasw1) about shifting mindset beyond engagement and empowering students to be excited about using what they learn in ways that make sense to them—to OWN their learning.
Read the Twitter Chat discussion.
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Jason Blair
Empathic curiosity, radical imagination, design thinking…these skills are essential for developing well-rounded students prepared to live in the world. In this episode, The Creativity Department delves into these ideas with Jason Blair as they discuss his C4 research project with Columbus Museum of Art and Harvard’s Project Zero.
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Matt and Laura Grundler
A special Happy New Year episode from Matt and Laura. Listen in as they chat about their goals for 2021, setting goals as a practice, and the importance of incorporating reflection and intention when crafting goals for yourself.
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Chris Sweeney
Wondering what exactly a makerspace is? Listen in as the Creativity Department interviews Chris Sweeney, Art/Makerspace Teacher and Artist in Philadelphia. Find out the “what, why, and how” of creating a makerspace as they examine using this concept in any art program.
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Matt Neylon
Today it’s more important than ever to develop a strong support network (your ART Family). In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Matt Neylon, Director of Visual and Performing Arts at Mount Vernon School, to discuss the importance of having people in your network with different talents, specific strengths, and diverse opinions and points of view.
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Jaime Donally
AR - Augmented Reality (not Arkansas) can easily be included in today’s classroom. Matt and Laura speak with Jaime Donally, author and Instructional Technology Consultant, about practical ways of adding AR and VR to the tools you use with your students. Discover apps, programs, and ideas for using this exciting technology easily and for FREE.
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Matt and Laura Grundler
A special Thanksgiving episode from Matt and Laura. Listen in as they chat about ideas for using gratitude with students and teams, share things to be thankful for in 2020, and relay a message of gratitude to all of you listening in each week.
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Andrew Surloff
Hear an administrative perspective of education in the time of COVID. Laura and Matt speak with Andrew Surloff, Assistant Superintendent of Quaker Valley School District in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Listen in to get an admin’s take on the importance of communication, working collaboratively with teachers, and navigating the different classroom models necessary during COVID.
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Paul Kretchmer
This week, team Grundler is joined by Paul Kretchmer, Visual Arts Instructional Coordinator for Austin ISD, in Austin, TX. Listen in for information and inspiration about how to create safe spaces for all students in the classroom. Discover a host of resources for crafting environments that are safe, inclusive, joyful, and predictable for our students, virtually and in-person.
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Frank Juarez
In this episode, Matt and Laura speak with Frank Juarez, head of the art department at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Learn about Frank’s experience as art educator, artist, contributing editor of SchoolArts magazine, and founder of four projects focused on contemporary art and art education (The Midwest Artist Studios, 365 Artists 365 Days Project, Artdose Magazine, and FRANK & Company art e-newsletter). His accomplishments also include winning National Art Educator of the Year, founding Sheboygan Visual Artists, opening Frank Juarez Gallery, and Artdose Magazine.
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Kristi Oliver
The Creativity Department is joined by Kristi Oliver, Professional Development Manager for Davis Publications. Enjoy the conversation about our new partnership, the importance of art education, and the many resources available from Davis Publications.
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Episode 29: Social Media, Identity, & Civic Duty in the Classroom
Flávia Bastos and James Rees
Educators empower students to transform the world. From digital citizenship and democratic dialogue to addressing controversial topics, an educator’s role is to act as a facilitator for students to find and develop their voices. What students have to say is meaningful, they have a vision to share. The critical part of this is helping them understand their responsibility to think critically about their choices when sharing that vision, so their voice is heard as intended. During this episode, the Creativity Department speaks with the research team behind the Who Is American Today project, Flávia Bastos and James Rees. Discover what Critical Digital Citizenship looks like, what role it plays in student’s lives, and how art education prepares students to examine their identity and become critical digital citizens.
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