Discover Resources to Support Teacher Planning, Learning, and Connecting in Art- AVID Open Access

To continue to grow as educators, it’s important that we reach out, continue to learn, explore new ideas, and make efforts to connect with other educators. Fortunately, with the explosion of online resources and social networking, this has never been easier. To get you started on the journey of staying connected, AVID Open Access has compiled several lists of popular resources. You will find links to key websites and established art organizations as well as blogs, podcasts, and social media sites. These resources can help you stay connected to current trends and what other art teachers are talking about and trying in their classrooms. There are also links to YouTube channels that can be useful for flipped lessons, playlists, sub notes, and conventional teaching.

There are far too many resources to list them all for you, but you’ll find several short lists to get you started in exploring and connecting. Each resource has its own style and focus, so search around and find one that works for you. It’s also a good idea to ask your artist friends about the resources they recommend. There are new resources being added every day. Of course, time is limited, so don’t feel pressured to explore everything. Find one or two that feel like a good fit for you and dig in. If you are really inspired by these types of resources, you might even consider making your own blog, website, or podcast, which are great ways to connect and share your expertise with others.

Art Education Organizations and Websites

ArtsEdSearch: Use this site to “browse research focused on the outcomes of arts education.” The home page features a simple key word search box. You can also search through the “Browse Research” menu at the top.
Arts Education Partnership: This site connects you to a “national network of more than 100 organizations dedicated to advancing arts education.” It is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education.
Kennedy Center: This K–12 resource site has excellent content and provides tips for integrating art into all subject areas. Browse sections for classroom lessons, digital learning resources, and more.
#MetKids: This is a kid-friendly introduction to art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The tagline describes the site as “made for, with, and by kids.” Menu options are offered to “Explore the Map,” “Hope in the Time Machine,” and “Watch Videos.” This site is best suited for elementary students.
National Art Education Association: This site is designed exclusively for visual arts and art educators. The site provides a wealth of resources, including connections to other arts organizations, professional learning opportunities, archived webinars, and more.
National Society for Education in Art and Design: This organization promotes the teaching of art and design, working as the only trade union for art and design educators in the UK. Their community is helpful and useful for art teachers.
PBS LearningMedia Visual Art: This portion of the PBS site contains resources specifically focused on visual art. Find videos, lessons, interactives, and more.
Virtual Art Educators: This is part of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) website and is dedicated to providing online professional learning in the visual arts. It encourages you to use the resources on the site to design your own personalized professional learning journey.