K12ArtChat the Podcast

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 you...

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 l...

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...

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...

In this episode, the Creativity Department talks with artist and educator Michael Bell about how he strikes a balance between his professional career and creative practices. Including how to blend your personal creative research into your curriculum, navigating the transition from “educator” to “artist” in your free time, and how maintaining a status as a practicing artist can help advocate for yo...

 In this episode, the Creativity Department talks with the Senior Programs Officer for the National Endowment for the Humanities – Julie Carmean! With America’s 250th birthday in July, Julie outlines how art educators and students can celebrate through the American Heroes Student Art Contest. The contest invites students to depict historical figures from a curated list of 250 notable Americans thr...

The temperature in the art room can change from day-to-day but, we’re not talking about how hot or cold the room is! Matt and Laura chat with returning gust Daniel Bryant to talk about his philosophy on “Setting the Thermostat” in the art room. How it can range from student’s attitudes, the different “temperatures” for high energy brainstorming versus low energy focus artmaking, and how environmen...

What happens when foundational skills meet meaningful artistic exploration? In this episode, The Creativity Department explores how a theme-based approach can bring the elements of art and principles of design to life through Big Ideas and thematic units. They share how this approach helps students connect technique, personal voice, and real-world context—leading to more authentic, engaging artwor...

Advocating for your art program can feel like a daunting task! But you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, The Creativity Department sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Stuart Whitehead, Visual Arts Supervisor for Prince George’s County, Maryland, to explore what effective advocacy looks like in action. Drawing from her own experience championing visual arts as a vital part of students’ day-to-da...

What happens when the artist becomes the story? In this episode of K12ArtChat, Matt and Laura talk with author Andrew Dietz about the intersection of visual art and fiction—and why creative writing belongs in the arts. The conversation highlights his novel Ever U, where a visual artist takes center stage and the art world shapes the narrative. Blending storytelling and artistic insight, this episo...

In this episode of K12ArtChat, Matt talks high school art educator Benjamin Hoffman to talk about how he uses data points in his art room to not only advocate for his program and students but also improve his curriculum! The data points Ben outlines help him give evidence to administration and parents that his curriculum works in achieving student’s creative goals. Listen in to hear more from Ben!

In this episode of K12ArtChat, Matt is joined by returning guests David Modler and Sam Peck to debrief the NAEA 2026 Convention in Chicago. From inspiring keynotes and hands-on workshops to make-and-takes in the exhibitor hall, they share their favorite moments and biggest takeaways. They also reflect on their session on communal visual journaling, what they learned from fellow art educators, and...

In this episode of K12ArtChat, Matt & Laura talk with art educators and longtime NAEA members Cheryl Maney and James Rees about what makes the NAEA Convention a must-attend professional development experience for art educators. Cheryl and James share tips and tricks for successful conference attendance, information on the plethora of benefits attendees can find, as well as a preview of their u...

In this episode of K12ArtChat, former Connected Arts Network (CAN) leaders Amy Appleton (now with Young Audiences for Learning) and Kendall Crabbe reflect on years of hard work evolving art education through interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting art educators, and encouraging them to start their own Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Amy and Kendall share their knowledge on how to nur...

In this episode of K12ArtChat, the Creativity Department talks with NAEA Supervision & Administration Division leaders Gino Molfino and Sarah Ackermann about the recent pre-convention webinars they are moderating around the topic “Leading with Purpose”. They share practical advice on how they navigate district politics, collaboration across subjects, and how educators can advocate for stronger...

Students are already creating with images, sound, and video—are our art classrooms keeping up? In this episode, Matt and Laura sit down with Yes Ma’am, a media arts collective of three high school art educators from Charlotte, North Carolina, to explore the growing role of media arts in visual arts education. From CTE pathways to state standards, they share how digital media helps connect with stu...

In this episode, Matt & Laura talk to Millersville University’s Professor in Art Education – Dr. Leslie Gates! Listen in to this information packed episode where she shares her approach to student led assessment. Discover how it affects student engagement and risk-taking in the art room. Hear how art educators can reframe assessment about mastery of skills and “grading” artistic ideas to havin...

In this episode, the Creativity Department chats with returning guest and longtime art educator, Jeanne Bjork about handling difficult transitions. Listen in for a fresh perspective on how educators at crossroads such as retirement can approach these changes with optimism, not fear. Discover strategies for staying positive, creative, and curious. By pursuing opportunities within her passions, maki...

After a year filled with challenges, growth, and hard-earned perspective, the Creativity Department’s annual New Year episode couldn’t just be about self-reflection.  To kick off 2026, we take a different approach. Davis Publications Marketing Director, Toni Henneman, steps in as guest host to guide a forward-looking conversation centered around professional identity, 2026 goals, and moments that...

In this episode, the Creativity Department talks to NAEA’s Higher Education Division Director, Yichien Cooper and the Preservice Division Director, Reilly Powers about the ever-important topic of advocacy! Dive in to hear how art educators can communicate the value of studio practice and creative research as well as the role non-arts educators and the community play in successful arts collaboratio...

In this episode, the Creativity Department talks to professors, educators, and artists Sean Justice, Marta Cabral, and Andrea Kantrowitz about how art educators can reimagine and reframe tools and materials using multi-modal learning techniques. For example, a simple change in terminology can be the catalyst to looking at a tool in a new light. Listen in and hear how utilizing a “material inquiry...

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,...

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,...

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 te...

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 mo...