ArtWork On The Web

Staff Development with an "Art-titude"

Idea Institutes 2008- 2009 and beyond . . .

Founded in 2003 by educator, author, and speaker Joan Maresh Hansen, Idea Institutes began as a series of lectures at the Texas Art Education Association conference. Now these lectures are available to art teachers and home schooled individuals as part of their continuing education in the world of art. The seminar consists of four (4) sessions that offer hundreds of unique lesson ideas in design, drawing, and painting using traditional and digital media. Each session is conducted in an interactive lecture format complimented with multimedia presentations to inspire and motivate artistic sensibilities.

This exciting seminar combines studio-intensive training using traditional and digital methods along with exemplary art examples collected by Joan throughout the years to show the possibilities of traditional media and the evolving usage of various software programs. The seminar aims to fully realize the educator's own creative expression to enhance their own artistic discipline and instruction in the classroom.

Attendees will enjoy discovering new innovative ways to teach media and techniques along with varied subject matter. Presenter Joan Maresh Hansen displays a passion for art. Attendees will learn from her experience and vision in various ways to effectively teach students. Her teaching philosophy evokes the idea that the more enthusiasm teachers can bring into their subjects, the more engaged their students would be. She loves sharing her secrets of success with a passion and it shows. Educators will enjoy meeting like-minded creative individuals who share their passion for art and education. Idea Institutes is a platform where educators can discuss various creative ideas and teaching strategies. Read enthusiastic participants comments.

Session I:

FOUR COMPUTER ART CLASSES begins with strategies on how to manage students using from one to twenty computers in the art classroom. Scheduling, organization, and management techniques are introduced on how to ensure that each student receives enough computer time. What follows are curricula delineating four (4) levels of electronic media coursework.

First year: Instruction focuses on teaching students how to create presentations using multimedia. Storyboarding, sequential development, and how the animation process can assist teachers in introducing multimedia are covered.

Second year: Instruction emphasizes teaching second year students how to use image manipulation software and how to create digital presentations.

Third year: Instruction covers teaching third year students how to further their knowledge in manipulating their own original art for the pages of their own desktop published books.

Fourth year: Instruction shows seniors how to create an entire marketing campaign for their own end of the year art exhibitions. Teachers will learn how to effectively instruct students in creating posters, post card invitations, artists' tags with statements, sign in books, and artist catalogues.

Session II:

ARCHIVING AP PORTFOLIOS focuses on how to instruct students in creating advanced placement studio art portfolio submissions. Art teachers will learn how to effectively help students in the preparation of documents for college board requirements. This session ends in a series of multimedia presentations of successful AP Studio Art portfolios, along with commentary from Joan's incredibly talented former art students. See examples of work in
Art Student Portfolios .

Session III:

GET PUBLISHED: PASS IT ON discusses guidelines for writing for magazines and/or textbooks. Teachers will see examples of previously published articles. A lecture on the history of various publishing firms are included: West Publishing's Teachers Across Texas, Davis Publications' Discovering Art History's Connections, McGraw Hill's Digital Studio Projects, and School Arts' Portfolio page features and Clip art articles.

Session IV

GRANT WRITING 101 addresses how to successfully apply for funding and grants. Due to budgetary limitations faced by many educators, successful funding and grant applications is a necessary skill for many educators. Details of researching grants and writing successful proposals are explained. Examples of winning grants are shared such as an all expense paid trip to Japan, purchased materials for classroom use, and others that were school wide projects impacting the schools with $100,000 in funding continuing for three years.

Other Staff Development Sessions

Previous staff development sessions are listed below in the following school districts and locations:

Application Information

The Idea Institutes introductory classes and special-focus workshops fill on a first come-first served basis. Class size is kept small for hands on sessions to ensure that each attendee receives the maximum benefits of the materials, resources and interaction with the instructor (s). The lecture-formatted presentations are filled to capacity with every inch of the floor occupied by enthusiastic audience members. Admission is limited to several individuals with small group rates. Keynote address is available to larger groups.

Admission Guidelines

Admission to The Idea Institutes is by your application in a written request only via e-mail or snail mail.

All applications must include your full payment to secure booking.

Application Deadline

Your completed applications and fees for all courses must be received six weeks prior to the workshop. Candidates are notified of availability within two weeks of their requests. Candidates must respond within two weeks to either confirm or cancel their reservation. Groups placed on a waiting list will be contacted if availability occurs.

Fees and Expenses

The Idea Institutes fees vary. See estimated fees and expenses per session.

Tuition (1 hour class): $250* (up to 25 participants)
Tuition (3 hour class): $500* (up to 25 participants)
Tuition (1-2 Day Workshops: $1500 to $3500* (9:00-Noon 1:00-3:00) (up to 15-25 participants)
Supplies with handouts (in color): Additional costs of $250-$500 or more depending on requests.
Processing Fee: $25
Total Fee will vary between $250-$3500 depending upon requests (not including handouts and supplies).

Email me to request an Idea Institute Workshop.

Summer 2010 Eve's Garden, Texas, Idea Institutes, Brookshire, Texas
2012 Cruise with your Muse: Details forthcoming

For More Information

To find out more about the Idea Institutes or to arrange a special session, please contact Joan by e-mail @: jmh5@mac.com with SUBJECT LINE: Idea Institutes Interest ( which is the best way to make contact)

ONLINE SESSIONS: COMING SOON!

Online versions of these sessions will be made available in the MEMBERS ONLY section of My Virtual Art Room.

Telephone: 281-494-2678 . Office hours are M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

Note from the author:

It has taken years to gather, organize, and refine the pages and the material housed on this and the sister sites featuring the newly revised The ArtWorkBook series. Now, YOU can benefit from these comprehensive resources. I would love to hear from you. Share your success stories and interests in various art processes in the eventual "Get published" MEMBERS ONLY section of MyVirtualArtRoom.com