In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by professional Potter, Author, and Art Educator, Steven Branfman. Steven lost his son to cancer more than 17 years ago. In the aftermath, as part of his grieving process, he made 365 Japanese style tea bowls, called chawan. Listen in to this moving conversation about making art through the grieving process as a way to heal and learn about Steven’s thought-provoking journey and process.

In this episode, the Creativity Department discusses mindfulness and expressive arts with Jane Dalton, author of The Mindful Studio the newest title from Davis! Matt, Jane, and co-host Raine Valentine dive into the difference between mindfulness and mindfulness mediation, why mindfulness and mediation are helpful in the classroom, and how Jane and Raine integrate mindfulness into their own art rooms. Listen in to learn more and hear about the new book all about mindfulness!

In this episode The Creativity Department dives into how to rethink curriculum with artist and Art Educator Richard Kim. Contemporizing curriculum is more than simply adding contemporary art. It’s about taking risks and developing content that taps into contemporary practices of how art is being made today. Listen in to hear strategies for developing curriculum content as a reflective practice instead of just providing art assignments. 

In this episode, the accessibility and inclusion conversation from episode 146 continues. Matt Grundler (of The Creativity Department) and Amy Appleton, CAN Project Director for NAEA, are joined by Kirsti Lewis, Founder of People Like Us. An organization devoted to providing inclusive and meaningful instruction to students with disabilities, People Like Us helps teachers implement curriculum that allows these students to partake equally in class and have fun doing it! Listen in to hear more from Kirsti Lewis! 

In this episode, enjoy the continuing conversation on Accessibility & Inclusion from episode 145. Matt Grundler (of The Creativity Department) & Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz are joined by Rebecca Visintainer, Dance Educator at North Plainfield Middle & Highschools in New jersey, and Sean Turner, educator with the NYC department of education and an adjunct professor at Hunter College. During the discussion, Rebecca and Sean share their insights about strategies used to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for students of all abilities, how they learn about students’ unique abilities, and resources you can tap into to do the same.

The next round of CAN episodes is here! To kick the first part, Matt & Mi’Jan are joined by Krissi Davis – the Orchestra Director for Midtown High School in Atlanta. The first 2-part episode will focus on Accessibility & Inclusion in the classroom. Krissi and Matt share how they make all students feel welcome, included, and heard in their respective rooms. Listen in to hear more from them! 

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by their friend Brice McCasland, the K12 Visual Art Coordinator for Lovejoy ISD in Texas to discuss building community in the art room. Recalling college days when art professors created a deep sense of community, the discussion dives into how they now emulate that in their own art rooms. Sharing a passion for art with students, allowing them to express themselves, creating opportunities for them to work toward a common goal, and giving them space and reason to connect and take risks are all ways they use to foster community with students. Listen in to learn more from this inspiring episode! 

In this episode, The Creativity Department is joined by 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year – Jonathan Juravich to talk about the importance of being intentional with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the art room. Jonathan shares his dissertation work on SEL, experience working as a national arts advocate, and expertise from years of teaching Elementary students incorporating SEL into his curriculum. Jonathan makes a constant effort to set a good example not only for his students, but his fellow art educators as well. Listen in to discover a plethora of resources you can use for your own practice!

It’s National Arts in Education week! Established in 2010, this week-long celebration was created to recognize the impact arts have in education. Dive into this episode and learn the story of The Creativity Department and the impact arts have had on them! Hear how they became Art Educators and what their “who & why” is. Learn who inspired them to become art educators, why they became art educators, and what keeps them inspired to teach day in and day out! Listen in to this inspiring episode and share your art education story for a chance to win our raffle! 

Paul Kretchmer returns in this episode all about setting art room rules and guidelines in the art room! Paul follows a philosophy he coined as “Happy Art Teacher Rules” which are guidelines for fellow art educators and students to follow – helping create a positive environment, celebrating diversity, and amplifying student voice. Listen in to hear how Paul implements these into his art room!