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Lead Visual Arts Teacher for Plano ISD Cristina Correa joins the Creativity Department to talk about collaborative mural making at your school! She shares tried and true strategies for pitching mural projects to school leadership. How she overcomes the challenges of balancing student self-expression and a cohesive final piece. Cristina rounds out the episode with practical tips and techniques for managing student involvement, expectations, and ensuring the final design is a meaningful hands-on experience! Listen in to hear more from Cristina!

In this episode, Matt & Laura talk with NAEA’s Elementary Division Director – Leslie Grace about how to overcome the challenges that come with teaching in an elementary setting! Leslie shares her wisdom on how to maintain a personal creative practice while teaching, bridging the disconnect between educator and administration, and avoiding burn out. Listen in to hear more from Leslie!

What happens when students take the lead in their artistic journeys? In this episode, the Creativity Department welcomes Jen Ferrari and Jill Hogan, authors of What Artists Do: TAB Pedagogy and Practice for K–12 Choice-Based Art Classes. They tackle common misconceptions about TAB and share practical strategies for fostering student creativity, independence, and self-expression, including assessment approaches and ideas for choice-based art rooms.

What does it take to stay happy, creative, and growing as an art educator? Paul Kretchmer has a few rules for that! In this episode, the Creativity Department revisits Paul’s Happy Art Teacher Rules and explores how his philosophy can help educators sustain meaningful growth. From encouraging creative risk-taking and setting expectations to prioritizing self-care, Paul shares ideas that can support both teachers and students. Listen in for practical ways to integrate Paul’s philosophy into your art room.

Sometimes we can get caught up in the newest trends. In this episode we’re slowing down and going back to basics! Matt and Laura chat about practical art room wisdom, building community, and the tried-and-true practices that help set the stage for success. With the new school year upon us, Matt shares how he starts each year at the middle school level, while Laura draws on her past experiences in administration to share insights on advocating for art educators. Listen in for a conversation filled with practical ideas, perspective, and a reminder that the basics are worth revisiting.

Taking on a leadership role when you don’t feel ready can be daunting. For art educators, leadership can mean advocating for your program, supporting your students, or speaking up for the value of arts education. In this episode, the Creativity Department talks with Lori Kirksted, author of The Imposter’s Guide to Authentic Leadership. Lori shares what she’s learned about leading with vulnerability and authenticity. Discover practical insights for finding your voice, building confidence, and leading without losing yourself.

In this episode, Matt & Laura talk with musician and artist Jennifer Licko about how educators across subjects can work together to bring a multitude of cultures into their classrooms for students to explore and engage with. Jennifer had her start in Celtic dance, but as the years went by, she brought her passion into the classroom. She shares cross-curricular techniques and projects that have sparked a similar passion in students. Listen in to hear more from Jennifer!

What does it take to make a museum experience meaningful, engaging, and relevant? Matt & Laura talk with Carolyn Keogh, Director of Education and Public Programs at Olana State Historic Site, about the many facets of her work and the evolving role of museums. Carolyn shares her creative journey and how she develops programs and conversations that invite visitors of all ages to connect with art, history, and ideas. Listen in for a fresh perspective on how museums can spark curiosity, invite connection, and encourage meaningful dialogue.

Artist and Educator Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr. joins Matt and Laura in this episode centered around how art educators can keep professional joy at the start of a new school year. Stephen shares his experience of crafting beginning of the year rituals and rules from scratch, which set the tone for his students and his art room. On top of that, Stephen goes into what professional joy looks like to him as well as his habits and how he keeps a joyful mindset. Listen in to hear more from Stephen!

In this episode, The Creativity Department welcomes back Dan Ryder to discuss how art educators can find value in professional development (PD) that isn't specifically designed for the visual arts. Dan shares how he adapts general education strategies for the art room, the ways he's supplemented the lack of arts-focused PD by creating his own learning opportunities, and the times he's been pleasantly surprised by professional development outside his discipline. Listen in for practical ideas and a fresh perspective on making every PD experience count.

In this episode The Creativity Department talks with returning guest Brice McCasland about building grit through the creative process. Discover how art educators help students embrace creative risk-taking, develop confidence through vulnerability, and recognize that resilience is about continuing to create through challenges. Brice also reflects on how sharing his artistic process, stories, and finished work with patrons continually renews his own creativity, giving him fresh inspiration and energy to bring back to his students.

How can you connect with art educators across the country, bring new perspectives into your art room, and strengthen art education beyond your own classroom? In this episode, The Creativity Department talks with SchoolArts Editor-in-Chief Frank Juarez about the impact of being published. Discover how your ideas can inspire other educators, influence art curricula, and make an impact far beyond your own art room.

In this episode, The Creativity Department talks with media arts educators from Perdue University – Petronio Bendito and Bob Sabol about how to inspire lasting creative growth in students while the digital world (and art education) is always changing. Bob and Petronio share how they go about designing lessons and experience that go beyond the National Standards and how they create their “forever lessons” for the modern art room. Listen to hear more from Bob and Petronio!

In this episode The Creativity Department talks about what resilience looks like in the art room. The Grundlers share their experience on the importance of staying creative outside the art room, trying new things, not getting discouraged when something doesn’t turn out as you planned, and leaning on your peers. As many schools break for the summer, the Creativity Department wants to be sure you’re ready to tackle next year with practical techniques on how to keep your students and yourself resilient!

In this episode The Creativity Department and art educator Bobby Eppleman discuss the philosophy of “giving students what they want before giving them what they need”. Explore how dialing in on student interests sparks deeper learning, helps guide them through resistance, and ultimately helps them unlock greater creative freedom and confidence. Discover how to help students focus on the curriculum without making it feel like a bait-and-switch. Tune in to hear more from Bobby!