In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Davis Author Marilyn Stewart to talk about the importance of creating a culture of belonging in the art room. Marilyn shares her 50 years of experience writing curriculum and preparing educators for the art room. Learn how she develops curriculum and the strategies she employs when doing so. Listen in to this engaging episode to get the inside scoop from one of art education’s subject matter experts and hear about the NEW middle school titl...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min
It’s no secret that art teachers can feel isolated in their school communities. It’s important to continuously consider what supports you need from your district and administrators! In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Don Masse, Visual And Preforming 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 ...
Jun 16, 2022•52 min
As school years across the country come to a close, The Creativity Department reflects on this year’s podcast guests and the biggest lessons taken away from them. The Grundlers have covered miles of ground this year, from artist interviews to discussions about equity and diversity, to careers in art and a plethora of resources to use in your art room. Check out all the inspiration and dive in.
Jun 09, 2022•26 min
In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by Dorothy Fatunmbi, a medical illustrator working at the Office of External Education at Harvard Medical School! Originally planning to become a veterinarian, Dorothy took a class on medical illustration and immediately found her passion. Listen in to hear her journey, experiences, and suggestions to share with aspiring artists that show there are plenty of career paths with STEAM ties!
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 2 min
The host of the Teaching Artist Podcast – Rebecca Potts Aguirre joins Team Grundler for this episode to talk about the balance between being a working artist as well as an art educator. Which comes first, your own art or teaching art? Rebecca and the Grundlers discuss how they juggle both careers and the inevitable overlap that happens between the two.
May 26, 2022•52 min
In this episode – The Creativity Department discuss empowering women educators and artists with art educators Natalie Chanel, Tiffany Lin, and Jen Holsinger-Raybourn! Learn how they shine a light on female artists in their classes, tackle topics like pay transparency and how to advocate for it, how they ensure people of other cultures are represented throughout the year, and how they continue to pursue their art outside the classroom.
May 19, 2022•46 min
In this episode - things are reversed! With a panel of previous guests, the Creativity Department develops questions to ask art educators in an upcoming #K12ArtChat on Twitter! Joined by Candido Crespo, Joe Boatfield and Raine Valentine, The Creativity Department dives into teacher appreciation, mental health, self-care, and difficulties the past 2 years have brought. Listen in to hear three distinct points of view on these topics and how questions will be asked on an upcoming #K12ArtChat on Twi...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by the cofounders of the Zentangle® Method of artmaking – Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts! They share their story about Zentangle’s creation, the experiences they’ve had with students in the classroom, and the work they are doing with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researching the benefits of art on mental health.
May 05, 2022•1 hr 21 min
We use visual literacy in our lives every day, whether we’re aware of it or not. These skills help us interpret, evaluate, and learn about the world. They help us create visual media to better understand and communicate! In this episode, Paul Kretchmer and Jennifer Holsinger-Raybourn join The Creativity Department to discuss the importance of Visual Literacy and providing opportunities for creating artworks to communicate meaning.
Apr 28, 2022•54 min
Host of the Who ARTed Podcast, Kyle Wood joins The Creativity Department in this episode! When faced with a scheduling change that left him with no prep time and an ever-rotating roster of students, Kyle turned to gamification and transformed his art room into a fun and engaging game show one day a week! But what does that mean? What exactly is gamification? Listen in to hear Kyle’s process and how you can implement it in your art room.
Apr 21, 2022•45 min
The Creativity Department speaks with Jason Blair about bringing a personal and humanistic approach to the art room. Schools aren’t just preparing students for college and career; they’re also developing active citizens in humanity. Since there is no dedicated class for this, Jason uses exercises in his art room to build safe spaces and help students feel more comfortable in social settings. Take a listen to hear how you can implement something similar!
Apr 14, 2022•38 min
The Creativity Department speaks with Visual Art and Social Justice Educator Alisha Mernick about decentering whiteness in art education. Alisha specializes in using art making to engage students in a critical analysis of issues of identity, social justice, anti-racism, and civic engagement. Listen in to hear how Alisha breaks from the Eurocentric mindset and broadening how we look at aesthetics!
Apr 07, 2022•48 min
Youth Art Month has been around since 1961, but do you know what it’s all about? The Creativity Department talks with members of Virginia Art Education Association about Youth Art Month. Learn how they’ve used the month-long event to help advocate for their art programs, collaborate with other educators, and inspire their students!
Mar 31, 2022•52 min
Why do you teach art? What makes you passionate about it? In this episode, The Creativity Department speaks with long time art educator Fahmi Khan about the “whys” of teaching art! Be inspired by her story of transitioning from practicing artist to art teacher, the journey of becoming an art teacher, and how she found her own “why” when she thought she didn’t have one.
Mar 24, 2022•55 min
The Creativity Department is joined by half of the Anti-Racist Art Teacher group for this episode! Body image is something we all struggle with, and it can be reassuring to know you’re not the only one with those feelings, especially as children. The Anti-Racist Art Teachers discuss their struggles with body image when they were students and share ways they help students with body image in the art room today!
Mar 17, 2022•46 min
In this episode, The Creativity department is joined by Julie Hasson, author of Safe, Seen, and Stretched in the Classroom: The Remarkable Ways Teachers Shape Students’ Lives – a book about how to make an impact on your students in and out of the classroom. The Grundler’s conversation with Julie dives into how the techniques and principles covered in her book can be translated to the art room.
Mar 10, 2022•35 min
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.
Mar 03, 2022•33 min
In this episode The Creativity Department speaks with Ashley Washington M. ED., an Instructional Coach with Plano, ISD. During the conversation they delve into the importance of incorporating diversity in curriculum daily to ensure classrooms reflects all cultures and communities of learners. Making the conscious effort of continuing conversations of diversity after an assigned "appreciation month" ensures that students feel honored, reflected, and see themselves in states of power.
Feb 24, 2022•46 min
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 for each student 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!...
Feb 17, 2022•33 min
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 about the struggles he faced, his support system, and influences that helped him create his dream!
Feb 10, 2022•45 min
In this episode the Creativity Department speaks with NAEA’s Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Ray Yang! While the work we do for ourselves and our students around this topic is some of the toughest work we do as educators, it is deeply important and continuous. Success in this space requires us to be curious and approach learning with an open mind, it requires us to be active. Ray offers tips to help tackle these topics with students in the art room as well as valuable insight into w...
Feb 03, 2022•42 min
Art educator and artist Raine Valentine joins the Creativity Department on this episode. Raine talks about her Chippewa heritage and how it inspires her. Hear how indigenous philosophies have informed her creativity as she discusses her belief in the importance of expressing yourself. Self-expression is a powerful tool that will inspire others (students) to feel comfortable to do the same! Listen in to understand how tying this altogether creates connection between us all.
Jan 27, 2022•36 min
What is an NFT exactly? In this episode The Creativity Department talks with Michael Cohen, AKA The Tech Rabbi, to find out! As an artist, author, and consultant Michael has experience in this fledging tech and how it could be implemented in the art room and school community. Advocacy for your art program, fundraisers for your school, digital art shows, introducing your students to the world of crypto – NFTs cover all the bases.
Jan 20, 2022•40 min
In this episode, Matt and Laura talk with returning guest James Rees! Advocacy outside of the classroom and real-world experiences for students are important. One of the best resources for both of these things could be down the street at your local art gallery or museum. Involving students in the production process of exhibiting their artwork is a meaningful way to make your program visible and build critical skills for students, even if they don’t go on to work in the field of art. Listen in to...
Jan 13, 2022•38 min
Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2022, The Creativity Department reflects on last year’s challenges and successes. Kick off the year with a little fun that covers "This or That" and some thoughts from teachers in the field.
Jan 06, 2022•26 min
In this episode - Thye Creativity Department speaks with professional artist and designer Erik Abel. Working from Southern Oregon, Abel's pieces have been featured in galleries around 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.
Dec 23, 2021•44 min
This week, Matt & Laura talk to fellow podcaster Candido Crespo! The Grundlers and Candido talk about building and nurturing your own creative community. Whether it be in the art room, in your wider community, or solely online – everyone can benefit by surrounding themselves with like minded people!
Dec 16, 2021•42 min
In this episode 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.). Getting published may be the best thing you do for your career.
Dec 09, 2021•35 min
In this episode – the Creativity Department speaks with Wall Street Journal reporter Kelly Crow! One aspect of art that is commonly overlooked in the classroom is the business side. As an art reporter, it is Kelly’s job to stay on top of the fine art market, its collectors, and most importantly - its artists. During the conversation she dives into suggestions on how to introduce the ins and outs of the business side of art in your art room, famous missing artwork, and the effect collectors have ...
Dec 02, 2021•52 min
The Creativity Department speaks with Jeannine Flores, Vice Chair of Create CA. 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.
Nov 18, 2021•32 min
