One of my current students asked me for a synthesized list of online resources that I have found valuable for K-12 art teaching. And so, I present to you my go-to online art education resources, in no particular order. Am I missing something? Add it in the comments.
- Art 21 Educator Guides and Videos. Art 21 is my go-to site for teaching with contemporary art. Check out their educator guides under the “learn” tab for great art-making prompts and questions that correspond to all of their videos.
- Art 21 Blog’s Teaching with Contemporary Art Column by contributor (and high school art educator!) Joe Fusaro. Joe consistently writes about exactly what I’m wondering, or struggling with, or excited about.
- Art Educators on Twitter. Nothing like updates in art education in 140 characters at less that you can read while waiting for your next appointment.
- Art Education 2.0: Connecting Art Educators Around the Globe. An online professional learning community of art educators with sub communities and discussion forums based on student age, media, interest, special topics, etc. Currently over 13,000 members. Did you know – the first two members besides the founder were art educators from Pennsylvania? 🙂
- Teaching for Artistic Behavior website. Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) is a nationally recognized choice-based art education approach to teaching art. The Teaching for Artistic Behavior concept enables students to experience the work of the artist through authentic learning opportunities and responsive teaching. Website is full of resources about choice-based approaches to teaching art.
- Olivia Gude’s e-Portfolio. Olivia Gude’s articles, presentations, lessons, and ideas all in one place and shared freely. Spend some time here.
- The National Art Education Association. NAEA is the professional organization of art educators in the United States, and the website is full of books, advocacy information, and news. The NAEA site also includes a monthly mentor blog where various art educators write about various issues (I was the month mentor in July 2009). Make it a point to join and maintain your membership.
- The “Art Teachers” Facebook page has over 5,000 members that share their successes, struggles, and questions with a community of art teachers. If you’re on Facebook, join the group for some serious, some funny, and some enraging (lively) discussions — all in the name of art education.
- The Art of Education is “ridiculously relevant professional development for art educators” and includes a blog, classes, online conferences, and other resources that many art educators I know have found extremely helpful.
- Favorite (Art, mostly) Educator blogs: I follow a number of blogs/sites in which educators I respect consistently post their assignments, ideas, and student work. Here are a few: David Miller – Wissahickon HS, Ian Sands, Apex HS, “Teacher Tom,” Woodland Park Preschool, Diane Jaquith, Self-directed art blog, and a list of the “top art education blogs of 2013” if that’s not enough.
Leslie Gates 