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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.).
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
Wanda Knight, Ray Yang, James Haywood Rolling Jr., and Mario Rossero
In this episode, The Creativity Department continues its conversation with NAEA leadership about strategies and practices that support meaningful learning in the art classroom. Guided by questions and topics submitted by art educators in the field, this discussion explores ways to engage students thoughtfully, highlight a range of perspectives, and strengthen classroom practices that help all students participate fully and confidently.
The conversation offers professional insights and practical guidance that teachers can apply immediately to create engaging, reflective, and inclusive learning environments in their own classrooms.
Listen Now Resources
Wanda Knight, Ray Yang, James Haywood Rolling Jr., and Mario Rossero
The National Art Education Association (NAEA) emphasizes the importance of supporting a wide range of perspectives and approaches that inform professional practice and teaching in the arts. In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with NAEA leadership about the critical work of fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments.
This thoughtful conversation, guided by questions and topics submitted by art educators in the field, explores practical strategies, classroom applications, and professional insights that teachers can bring into their own practice. From concrete resources to actionable guidance, this episode is packed with ideas you can put to use today to help students feel seen, supported, and fully engaged in the art classroom.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
Sandra Munoz and Esmerelda Fernandez
Identity is constantly evolving—it’s part of what makes us human. It is shaped by both visible and invisible influences, including culture, race, religion, lived experiences, and personal beliefs. As today’s classrooms bring together students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and life experiences, how can educators recognize and support the many identities represented in their school communities?
In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with Sandra Munoz and Esmerelda Fernandez, bilingual art educators from Plano, Texas. Hear about their experiences working with English learners, the communities they serve, and how the art room can celebrate the richness of different cultures while helping every student explore and express their own identity.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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!
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
Dr. Ryan Shin and Dr. Kevin Hsieh
Contemporary Asian artists offer powerful opportunities to help students explore culture, identity, history, and creative expression. But for many educators, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.
In this episode, the Creativity Department talks with Dr. Ryan Shin and Dr. Kevin Hsieh, university art education professors and members of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Asian Art and Culture Interest Group (AACIG). They share practical ideas for thoughtfully incorporating contemporary Asian artists, cultural perspectives, and authentic resources into the art curriculum.
Whether you’re looking to broaden representation in your lessons or introduce students to new artistic voices, this conversation offers helpful guidance, classroom-ready resources, and strategies for creating meaningful learning experiences through contemporary Asian art.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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 creating fair and engaging learning experiences through thoughtful instructional design.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Anna Rochester
Art has the power to help students explore who they are, better understand others, and strengthen connections within their school community.
In this episode, The Creativity Department talks with Barbara Libby-Steinmann and Anna Rochester about how one creative idea inspired a school- and community-wide initiative centered on identity, empathy, and shared experiences. They discuss practical ways educators can create meaningful opportunities for students to reflect, express themselves, and engage in respectful conversations through art.
Discover how collaborative art experiences can foster understanding, celebrate diverse perspectives, and create a stronger sense of belonging both in the classroom and beyond.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now Resources
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.
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now
Episodes 60–107
Check out Season 2 of K12ArtChat the podcast and listen in to conversations from experts across the field of education. Learn about everything from student curations (ep. 61) to Neurodivergent Thinking in the Art Room (ep. 94).
Next Season | Season 2 Go to Podcast Homepage
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.
Listen Now Resources