Art Connects Us

Greetings from the DPI

Julie Palkowski, Fine Arts and Creativity Education Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
November 2014

Art Connects Us

This year’s conference theme provides some food for thought. I enjoy being around educators and especially fine arts educators. I feel comfortable, but yet challenged to stretch; able to share, but humbled by the expertise and care of my colleagues; and allowed to be an individual, yet connected with the group.
Several of us had the opportunity to get together at the conference to stretch, share, inspire, and connect.  This was a face-to-face opportunity. We don’t get the chance to meet this way too often, however there are alternative ways we can foster additional connections with one another. I wish to encourage you to reach out, share, and connect with your colleagues. Here are a few ways to support your professional and artistic growth.

Join an online Professional Learning Community. 

Consider becoming a part of the Wisconsin Art Educators, a Google community. As of the printing of this article, there are 60+ members within this new networking group. The group is meant to foster the sharing of art and design educational ideas, ask questions, and offer encouragement to support each other in the work to build arts skills and knowledge with our students. To join, start by setting up a free Gmail account, and then search within Google+ for Google Communities tab for Wisconsin Art Educators. 

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Check networks in specific areas and share. 

·       Adult Community Music Organizations - WMEA

·       Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education

·       Art Seeds Mentors - WAEA e-Mentor Program

·       Professional Arts Organizations

·       Wisconsin Dance Council

I wish you a successful journey in finding ways to connect with colleagues across the state and nation. As always, please continue to share your stories, suggestions, and ideas about arts education through the sites below. 

*Kudos – news of honors, events, and special arts awards

*From the Field – classroom strategy sharing

*Creative Classrooms – Innovative strategies and/or resource use in teaching 

 

Thank you again for your willingness to stretch, learn, and share your ideas and expertise in arts education.