K12ArtChat the Podcast

In this episode the Creativity Department explores the intersection of art education and collaborative storytelling with Cameron McKinstry, K12Art Chat Producer, Game Master, and Marketing Associate for Davis Publications. Listen in and hear how tabletop role playing games (TTRPGs) can benefit students and open new ways of thinking in the art room. From character and world design to visual, oral, and collaborative storytelling, TTRPGs open a rich landscape of artistic expression that can help foster creativity, critical thinking, and social skills.

Join the Creativity Department as they talk with Dr. Jeff Broome, Professor of Art Education at Florida State University and artist-scholar Dr. Renee Sandell about their collaborative work - Real Lives Now: Narratives of Art Educators and 21st Century Learning. Together, they explore how authentic storytelling reveals the deeper meaning behind art education. Highlighting creativity, communication, and critical thinking in today’s classrooms.

In this episode, the Creativity Department talks with Sarah Delphus, NAEA’s Eastern Region Vice President-Elect, about ways to make hybrid learning spaces into environments where students can be their creative selves. Explore practical strategies for adapting lessons to meet specific student needs, challenges and successes of integrating technology into creative instruction, as well as reliable techniques to keep students engaged online. Listen in to learn more from Sarah!

In this episode, Matt and Laura chat with art educator on the topic of photography. Specifically, the role photography plays in art education, how she integrates both technical skills and creative expression when teaching, how photography helps students develop critical thinking and visual literacy skills, and practical tips for making photography accessible within any budget. Listen in to hear more from Susan!

In this episode, Matt and Laura welcome back award-winning art director, game designer, and artist Momo Pixel to talk about her work across the mediums of games, fashion, pixel art, and music! Momo is the creator of the viral game “Hair Nah” as well many other interactives for Hulu, Google, and much more. Momo shares her personal approach to creating art, keeping a positive attitude, and the impact games can have on our mindset. Listen in to hear more from Momo!

In this episode, Matt and Laura welcome back artist, educator, and author Jorge Lucero to share his practices of caring for fellow art educators. Listen in and hear specifically about how writing letters of recommendation turned into an opportunity to lift up the importance of the work art educators do! Jorge shares what goes into these letters, from acknowledging the “invisible” work his colleagues do to highlighting their unseen strengths. Discover how being a silent advocate for colleagues in art education can be a powerful act of caring!

In this episode, Matt & Laura chat with returning guest – Jason Blair about the essential role the arts play in young students’ development. Listen in to discover how artmaking supports the growth of critical skills, strengthens students’ ability to communicate complex ideas, and fosters a deeper sense of community. Through playful exploration, multi-modal activities, and imaginative projects that explore deeper emotions, art educators empower students to express themselves, build confidence, and strengthen problem-solving skills! Tune in to hear more from Jason!

In this episode, Laura talks with artist, researcher, and teacher – Tamyrn McDermott about multimodal learning! Listen in to learn what this is and how it can be applied in an art classroom. Tamryn shares strategies and activities she’s used in her own experience that art educators can introduce into their existing programs. During the discussion, she also explores how technology and media arts can be intertwined with multimodal learning concepts! Tune in to hear more from Tamryn.

Back-to-school season is upon us with a new crowd of students and new host of challenges! In this episode Matt & Laura discuss common challenges we face as art educators and how to prepare for them. Discover actionable steps and strategies to ensure a smooth transition, including planning curriculum for the year, creating successful routines, forming a sense of community with fellow art educators, and incorporating new technology into the art room. Tune in and hear more from Matt and Laura!

Honoring learning styles and helping build strong connections is what Differentiated Instruction is all about. In this episode, the Creativity Department is joined by Dr. Heather Fountain, author of Differentiated Instruction in Art Education. Listen in and explore how art educators can effectively identify the diverse learning needs of students. Discover practical approaches and actionable strategies you can use to differentiate content and process, assess learners’ needs, and help students showcase their skills. Tune in and hear more from Heather!