Professional Development
CMA provides single or multi session hands on professional development workshops for administrators, educators, parents and caregivers. CMA’s professional development is based on a principle of experiential learning. Sessions emphasize process and enjoyment over product-oriented art projects, focusing on teaching children to develop creative thinking, social awareness, and confidence building. CMA gives teachers concrete tools and resources to enrich their classrooms with art. In these workshop sessions, educators will collaborate with CMA Teaching Artists to develop projects that are age appropriate and support the specific needs of the classroom, its students and curricula. All workshops support NY State Learning Standards, DOE NYC Teaching & Learning Blue Print in the Visual Arts and promote innovative and critical thinking skills in students.
Workshop Options:
CMA Creative Curricula
CMA’s Creative Curricula workshops are designed to help classroom teachers develop creative processes to enhance academic curricula. Art making is a powerful tool that can be applied in any discipline to encourage student participation, deepen retention, and increase fine motor skills. In this workshop, Teaching Artists will model specific creative approaches to an academic lesson and discuss ways in which this approach can be adapted and applied to additional subjects.
Learn more about Media Lab Program Manager, Joe Vena and Fine Arts Program Manager, Jamie Kelty on our Staff page.
Workshop Examples:
Arts-in-Humanities:
Using painting, drawing and sculptural practices, Teaching Artists demonstrate how the visual arts can be used to enhance lessons in humanities.
Graphic Novel:
Through the art of storytelling and graphic novels, Teaching Artists demonstrate ways in which academic material such as lessons on the Civil War or World Fables, can be explored.
Applied Animation:
The art of animation can be effectively applied to any number of academic disciplines, from Earth Science to History or English literature. Teaching Artists show classroom teachers how to navigate the eloquent art of I-Stop Motion animation, outline storyboards and create set & characters designs to creatively educate students on academic material.
WEE Arts Early Childhood
Designed for educators teaching children 5 years and under, this professional development workshop is based on CMA’s successful WEE Arts Early Childhood program. Participants learn new strategies for presenting and implementing art activities and projects for toddlers. Educators will learn to combine familiar materials with new and creative processes that are developmentally appropriate. With an emphasis on tactile learning and creative play, these workshops will engage educators in the process of experimentation and creation from the perspective of a toddler. Educators learn to create a curriculum that is a multisensory experience, encouraging the development of gross and fine motor skills, socialization and self-expression.
Learn more about Early Childhood Program Manager, Tom Burnett and Teaching Artist, Katie LaClair on our Staff page.
Accessible Arts
In this professional development workshop, CMA’s professionally trained Teaching Artists will guide educators in how to adapt to, and meet the needs of, children in the classroom with varying abilities. In this interactive workshop, educators will learn how to utilize the visual arts in a collaborative and tactile approach in order to effectively reach unique learners. During this workshop, CMA teaching artists will facilitate a dialogue around ways to talk to children about their artwork and how best to continue to inspire and encourage creativity in the classroom. Educators will leave the workshop with tangible lessons and practical ways to apply their new skills in their classrooms.
Learn more about Senior Fine Arts Teaching Artist, Mandy Talbot on our Staff page.