Art teachers have so much to appreciate! A career in art education is a unique and fulfilling journey. From the initial spark of the first years of teaching to the profound wisdom and experience right before retirement, each career phase brings new and unique things for which to be thankful. At each of these stages, art educators find themselves not only imparting knowledge but also gaining insights, forging connections, and leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of visual art and education. Let’s explore what art teachers appreciate most at each phase of their careers. https://artsandculture ..read more

After completing state testing, AP or IB testing, and submitting art portfolios, you and your students have finally reached the finish line! With only a few weeks left in the school year, it’s time to celebrate with stress-free artmaking. This time of year is perfect for those lessons you never got to during the year or fun ideas you’ve wanted to try out with your students. The art activities below are more suitable for students in a secondary-level art class, but you can always tweak them to suit any grade level. In addition, they are an excellent way to see the culmination of all of the art ..read more

Note: Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students. Creating great work on a small budget can be difficult. Students often get frustrated when their pencil no longer has an eraser, specific paint colors are gone, or a tool they want is missing. Encourage your students to look at limitations as an opportunity to be creative. Throughout history, artists have demonstrated that great art does not require the best of everything. Instead, it requires the artist to make the best of what they have. For example, Michelang ..read more

Note: Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students. Perspective drawings can feel cold and mechanical, but they can also be magical and empowering. As students gain skills in creating a realistic sense of space, they quickly realize drawing can enable them to create the world they imagine in their minds. However, the process of creating a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional surface can be challenging and frustrating. There are precise rules to follow and each line and angle requires accuracy. The learnin ..read more

Note: Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students. Poetry is an art form, so how do you bring it into art class? While it’s true that poetry and art exist in seemingly different realms, they both have a lot to offer as forms of creative expression. Blackout poetry makes bridging the divide easier than you think and allows students to explore the creative interplay between language and visual elements. Blackout poetry, or erasure poetry, involves selectively obscuring words from a printed page to make a new compo ..read more

Note: Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students. Imagine a poem that goes beyond words lined on a page—a poem where typography plays a pivotal role in enhancing meaning. Concrete poems, sometimes called shape poems, break the mold of traditional writing and bridge visual and written expression. In a concrete poem, the shape and arrangement of the poem’s words create a picture reflecting the poem’s theme. For example, a poem about rain could have words cascading down the page like a stream of raindrops. This fo ..read more

Springtime has arrived! You may have your windows open to enjoy the fresh air, warmer weather, and extra sunlight during studio time. On the other hand, your students may be antsy! The last place they want to be right now is sitting in a classroom. You may be wracking your brain with ways to keep them (and you!) engaged in the art room.  If things are feeling stale or stuck, there are two ways to get excited and passionate about teaching art again! Let’s take a closer look.  1. See great art in person! There’s nothing like taking a personal day to engage the senses with inspiring ar ..read more

Note: Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students. A great work of art can greatly impact the viewer. When this impact is challenging to put into words, poetry can be a powerful tool! Poetry is an organic way for all students to capture thoughts and feelings with a high level of success. One lesser-known form of poetry is ekphrasis, Greek for description. Ekphrasis is a literary tradition describing and commenting on a work of art and it most commonly comes in the form of poetry. The vivid detail in ekphrastic p ..read more

Stepping into the world of the secondary art classroom is an exciting transition for elementary art teachers. However, it can also be nerve-wracking! As a high school art teacher, you probably have more students and preps per class period. Plus, you may be struggling with how to manage students who are physically bigger than you! If you’re wondering why the rainbows and glitter are no longer cutting it, don’t worry. There are tons of strategies and tips you can employ to foster respect in the art room and cultivate amazing artmaking.  Start with these words of wisdom about stepping into t ..read more

Students love working with clay because the process is tactile and seeing the form develop is satisfying. When students begin making their first pinch pots, they often wonder if they can make cups or mugs they can actually drink out of. Of course, the short answer (with food-safe glazes) is yes! However, the initial excitement to touch clay can quickly disappear once students realize how challenging handbuilding can be. If you’re looking for ways to increase the success factor for your students, stay tuned for several tips and project ideas that don’t require a pottery wheel or special tools ..read more