Art teachers are often asked to justify their subject in ways that teachers of many other subjects are not. We are asked to explain the value of art, defend curriculum time, and prove that creativity matters in an increasingly data-driven education system. Recently, I asked art teachers the question: “What do students learn from art […]
If you’ve spent any time in education recently, you’ve probably heard the term adaptive teaching. Some countries refer to it as ‘Differentiated Instruction or Responsive Instruction’. It has become a significant focus in schools, and with good reason. Every class contains students with different experiences, abilities, confidence levels and learning needs. The challenge for us […]
Have you ever wondered what a puppet maker career is really like? In this creative careers interview, Zack Buchman, founder of Furry Puppet Studio in New York, answers common questions about becoming a puppet maker, designing characters, and working in the entertainment industry. My name is Zack Buchman, and I am the founder and Creative […]
It’s not just that artist Peter Davis is a brilliant painter — making acrylic blending look effortless when it definitely isn’t — that makes me think art teachers should know about him. His portraits have been exhibited widely, including at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and they tackle some exciting themes that I think […]
The artwork ‘Stay Safe Mum (Elbow Elbow)’ (2020) by Peter Davis depicts the artist’s 81-year-old mother, Joyce, using her smartphone. Although she had owned a mobile phone since 2000, the lockdown introduced in March 2020 made her, like many people, far more dependent on video calls to stay connected. Before restrictions were introduced, Joyce had […]
Peer assessment strategies for the art room is something many of us use but it can sometimes feel a little rushed or inconsistent if it isn’t structured carefully. At its core, peer assessment simply means students looking at each other’s work and offering feedback. Done well, it helps students develop their ability to analyse artwork, […]
