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PODCAST

K12ArtChat the Podcast

The Creativity Department

A podcast for K-12 art educators interested in connecting with colleagues and ideas. Each episode, hosted by Matt and Laura Grundler, takes you backstage with guest hosts from #K12ArtChat to dig into the latest art education innovations and resources. You’ll find tips, tools, and inspiration to keep you connected and moving forward.

arts visual arts

All Episodes

66:36

Episode 268 – Jen Ferrari & Jill Hogan – TAB in...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/10/01

What happens when students take the lead in their artistic journeys? In this episode, the Creativity Department welcomes Jen Ferrari and Jill Hogan, authors of What Artists Do: TAB Pedagogy and Practice for K–12 Choice-Based Art Classes. They tackle common misconceptions about TAB and share practical strategies for fostering student creativity, independence, and self-expression, including assessment approaches and ideas for choice-based art rooms.

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44:51

Episode 267 – Paul Kretchmer – Happy Art Teacher...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/09/24

What does it take to stay happy, creative, and growing as an art educator? Paul Kretchmer has a few rules for that! In this episode, the Creativity Department revisits Paul’s Happy Art Teacher Rules and explores how his philosophy can help educators sustain meaningful growth. From encouraging creative risk-taking and setting expectations to prioritizing self-care, Paul shares ideas that can support both teachers and students. Listen in for practical ways to integrate Paul’s philosophy into yo...

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24:24

Episode 266 – Back to Basics Art Teaching

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/09/17

Sometimes we can get caught up in the newest trends. In this episode we’re slowing down and going back to basics! Matt and Laura chat about practical art room wisdom, building community, and the tried-and-true practices that help set the stage for success. With the new school year upon us, Matt shares how he starts each year at the middle school level, while Laura draws on her past experiences in administration to share insights on advocating for art educators. Listen in for a conversation fi...

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52:15

Episode 265 – Lori Kirksted – Leading with Vulnerability

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/09/03

Taking on a leadership role when you don’t feel ready can be daunting. For art educators, leadership can mean advocating for your program, supporting your students, or speaking up for the value of arts education. In this episode, the Creativity Department talks with Lori Kirksted, author of The Imposter’s Guide to Authentic Leadership. Lori shares what she’s learned about leading with vulnerability and authenticity. Discover practical insights for finding your voice, building confidence, and ...

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37:17

Episode 264 – Jennifer Licko – Building Cultural...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/08/27

In this episode, Matt & Laura talk with musician and artist Jennifer Licko about how educators across subjects can work together to bring a multitude of cultures into their classrooms for students to explore and engage with. Jennifer had her start in Celtic dance, but as the years went by, she brought her passion into the classroom. She shares cross-curricular techniques and projects that have sparked a similar passion in students. Listen in to hear more from Jennifer!

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41:42

Episode 263 – Carolyn Keogh – Curating...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/08/13

What does it take to make a museum experience meaningful, engaging, and relevant? Matt & Laura talk with Carolyn Keogh, Director of Education and Public Programs at Olana State Historic Site, about the many facets of her work and the evolving role of museums. Carolyn shares her creative journey and how she develops programs and conversations that invite visitors of all ages to connect with art, history, and ideas. Listen in for a fresh perspective on how museums can spark curiosity, invit...

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50:50

Episode 262 – Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr. –...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/08/06

Artist and Educator Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr. joins Matt and Laura in this episode centered around how art educators can keep professional joy at the start of a new school year. Stephen shares his experience of crafting beginning of the year rituals and rules from scratch, which set the tone for his students and his art room. On top of that, Stephen goes into what professional joy looks like to him as well as his habits and how he keeps a joyful mindset. Listen in to hear more from Stephen!

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58:16

Episode 261 – Dan Ryder – Making Every PD Count

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/07/23

In this episode, The Creativity Department welcomes back Dan Ryder to discuss how art educators can find value in professional development (PD) that isn't specifically designed for the visual arts. Dan shares how he adapts general education strategies for the art room, the ways he's supplemented the lack of arts-focused PD by creating his own learning opportunities, and the times he's been pleasantly surprised by professional development outside his discipline. Listen in for practical ideas a...

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55:29

Episode 260 – Brice McCasland – Beyond Inspiration:...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/07/16

In this episode The Creativity Department talks with returning guest Brice McCasland about building grit through the creative process. Discover how art educators help students embrace creative risk-taking, develop confidence through vulnerability, and recognize that resilience is about continuing to create through challenges. Brice also reflects on how sharing his artistic process, stories, and finished work with patrons continually renews his own creativity, giving him fresh inspiration and ...

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37:52

Episode 259 – Frank Juárez – Transforming Art Rooms...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/07/09

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 your own art room.

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61:42

Episode 258 – Bob Sabol & Petronio Bendito – Purpose,...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/06/25

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 lessons” for the modern art room. Listen to hear more from Bob and Petronio!

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32:55

Episode 257 – The Art of Resilience

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/06/18

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 ready to tackle next year with practical techniques on how to keep your students and yourself re...

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55:58

Episode 256 – Bobby Eppleman – Navigating Connection,...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/06/04

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 without making it feel like a bait-and-switch. Tune in to hear more from Bobby!

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46:36

Episode 255 – Michael Bell – Practice What you Teach

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/05/28

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 your curriculum and program.

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40:35

Episode 254 – Julie Carmean – Handmade Heroes:...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/05/21

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 through handmade art. Julie shares insight on how the list of heroes was curated as well as the...

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42:38

Episode 252 – Daniel Bryant – Thermostat or...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/05/07

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 environmental settings can have a “cooling” effect. Daniel shares how he keeps his art room cool as the end...

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30:49

Episode 252 – What’s the Big Idea? Teaching Art with...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/04/30

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 artwork. The conversation highlights practical strategies for scaffolding skills while encouraging inqu...

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61:43

Episode 251 – Dr. Elizabeth Stuart Whitehead– Program...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/04/23

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-day learning, Dr. Whitehead shares practical strategies to use right now. Tune in to learn how inte...

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42:18

Episode 249 – Andrew Dietz – Creative Confidence

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/04/16

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 episode explores creativity and how imagination influences both what we create and how we see the worl...

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30:28

Episode 249 – Benjamin Hoffman – Imagination to...

K12ArtChat the Podcast ·

2026/04/09

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!

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