K12ArtChat the Podcast

An insightful conversation with Hall Rockefeller, art historian and founder of Less Than Half, an online platform created to proactively address the lack of information that exists about female artists. Laura, Hall, and Matt discuss the importance of uplifting under-represented voices. During the conversation, they explore themes such as supporting female and non-binary students as artists, how to teach about intersectionality through art, and avoiding stereotypes.

In this episode, recorded earlier this year, The Creativity Department talks with Learning Experience Designer, Kurt Klynen about ways creativity can be used to shape experiences, inspire your work and those around you, and essentially get us through anything.

During this year of COVID, it was important to know when to disconnect and step away. In this episode Laura and Matt are going to talk just a little about what they did this year to take care of themselves. They share suggestions teachers like you offered up during the Twitter chat on June 10th and most importantly encourage you to do everything you can to shut it all off and enjoy some down time!

During the June 17th Twitter chat Joseph Boatfield and returning guest Kevin Hsieh facilitated a conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in the art room. 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 speak candidly with Kevin and Joseph to get their own perspective on the questions they asked, as educators and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This week the Creativity Department is joined by Craig Yen. Craig is an elementary classroom teacher that infuses everything he does with art. He understands the importance of creativity, creating, and making sure students have a voice and outlet to use it in his classroom. As everyone has traversed this last year, he’s made sure his students have had even more art to help them navigate the constant changes. Listen in to this week’s conversation for information, advice, resources, and ideas on how to engage students in the process of creating content around topics important to them.

In this episode the Creativity Department speaks with Carlos Cruz and Tara Rousseau from the NAEA LGBTQ+ Interest Group. During the conversation they share readily available resources that explain LGBTQ+ issues to help you understand what students need to be successful. You’ll discover inspiration, ideas, and advice on ways to connect with students, learn, grow, and be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

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. 

The past year and a half has been tough on everyone, but art and creative expression have eased the anxiety we’re all facing. In this episode, Matt and Laura talk to guest Adam Saenz who specializes in creative writing to expand emotional intelligence and about how art can be used to address mental health.

During this episode, the Creativity Departments speaks with the research team behind the Who Is American Today project, Flavia 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.

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.