WHERE WILL YOUR IMAGINATION TAKE YOU? - Updated 1/3/12

Untitled, turn of the 20th Century beaded suitcase; The Minneapolis Institute of Art; artist:  Ida Claymore

Equipped with passion, energy and pedagogy, we art teachers take our students on voyages of discovery around the world (and beyond!) - while delving into the inner reaches of human creativity.
 
We learn daily, as our students do, and become better as educators, artists and citizens of the world.  Through the arts, we see the world with fresh eyes and gain greater understanding of our place in it.
 
My new year’s wish is that you will have an amazing journey of discovery into creativity and imagination in 2012.
 
Consider the value of real travel experience along with the virtual travel presented in your classroom.  From a simple trip to a local art museum to travel abroad, authentic experience ignites the imagination, creativity, learning and understanding.

Here are my favorite recommendations:

www.teachgreece.org
Professional development as a Greek Fellow in Greek Studies for educators K-12; be immersed-literally- in Greek literature and the arts:  sail to Ithaca, climb Mt. Olympos, trek up to the Parthenon on a trip through ancient/contemporary Greece.  Preparation begins with excellent lectures, readings and events in Boston.  Distance learners participate online. Camaraderie, collegiality and life-long friendships develop with professionals in Greece and at home.

http://www.labschool.org/powerofart 
Robert Rauschenberg and The Lab School of Washington initiated a program to share educational tools, integrating art into teaching methods for dyslexic students in 1998. The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation has supported this program since with” The Power of Art.”  This program helped me to develop a new way of teaching students with learning challenges. 

http://www.nga.gov/education/teacinst.shtm
Teacher Institute 2012 French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

Session I: July 16–21, 2012 | Session II: July 30–August 4, 2012.  This is an excellent program with curators, art historians, and museum staff presenting the incredible collection at the NGA in Washington. To be immersed in thoughtful discourse in Art History with colleagues from across the United States and to see and study treasures of America closely is a truly a life-changing experience.  The NGA staff creates a warmly welcoming, invigorating atmosphere to explore the artwork we are passionate about!

www.ghostranch.org
In the shadow of Georgia O’Keefe’s Pedernal, live and work with professional artists during inspiring hands-on workshops and seminars. The catalogue changes annually with new offerings each year.

http://exchanges.state.gov/programs/educators.html
Travel as a Fulbright teacher to all parts of the globe! 

 

 

Travel to NAEA sponsored events and conferences!  This is a photo of Deb Hannu, past President of Art Educators Minnesota, and me behind the Noguchi sculpture, Black Sun, in Seattle at the 2011 NAEA Conference. The conference is a few short days- with memories to last a lifetime!  This year, New York beckons!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOKsjCZqvrM
And finally, here is a movie about the schools of Cuba inspired by the first NAEA sponsored delegation to Cuba in October 2011. It is my hope that the NAEA will sponsor more delegations like this one, which was a truly life-changing experience for all participants! Enjoy!

Bon voyage! Happy New Year!

-Jo-Anne Kirkman