Cultivating Youth Creativity
"Art is of course important in its own right, as a medium for young people expressing themselves, understanding who they are and how they interact with the world," says Bronwyn Bevan, the Wallace Foundation's vice president of research. "But these reports suggest that community-based art programs may provide a unique environment for developing relationships that can ultimately help young people navigate an unpredictable road ahead. Is it because creative pursuits make young people more comfortable with vulnerability, more accepting of new connections, and more open to new possibilities? We want to understand more." (The Wallace Foundation)
A recent report commissioned by the Wallace Foundation connects many of the dots arts educators and teaching artists have already etched in - engaging in youth art programs can help young people build the confidence and the relationships they may need to thrive as adults, and can foster skills like creative thinking, self-awareness, and social influence, to guide them as technology, demography, and geopolitical upheaval transform the country's society and economy.
Without a doubt, arts educators and teaching artists are the backbone of youth art education. We're sharing resources for arts educators and teaching artists to help aid the great, grueling, valued work they do.
For Arts Educators
Check out DPI's Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project to find FREE music, lesson plans, and materials created by Wisconsin artists and educators for Wisconsin schools, communities, and libraries.
For Teaching Artists
Are you an artist? Have you ever wanted to weave youth art education within your work? Have you ever wanted to teach your craft to Wisconsin's youth? Have you ever wondered what that might look like, or where to start?
We think Opera for the Young and The Oneida Arts Program's The Planting Seeds of Knowledge (SEEDS) are two good examples that show organizations connecting accomplished artists with schools and youth art education opportunities.
A few pieces of advice from the Wisconsin Partners for Arts Education:
- Artist partnerships with schools stem from relationships.
- These partnerships are usually either initiated by the artist, or a school teacher.
- Be aware that if you are collaborating with a school, you'll be asked to pass a background check.
- Artists should approach this work as a collaboration with a school, not a business contract in which the artist is selling something for a school to purchase.
2025 Wisconsin Creativity Summit
If you missed the recent Wisconsin Creativity Summit hosted by DPI, don't worry, you can still access it! Watch a replay of the summit, and read through the key takeaways below.
- Creativity is essential for personal fulfillment and societal progress.
- All children possess unique talents and should be encouraged to explore them.
- Education systems must prioritize creativity alongside traditional subjects.
- Creating a culture of belonging enhances individual and collective creativity.
- Leadership in education should focus on nurturing creativity, not just managing it.
- The arts play a crucial role in fostering emotional connections while cultivating curiosity.
- Assessing the conditions for creativity is more important than assessing individual creativity.
- Community collaboration enhances educational experiences and outcomes.
- Every individual has the potential for brilliance, given the right conditions.
- Incremental changes can lead to significant transformations in education.
The Wisconsin Arts Board is a Resource, Too
The Wisconsin Arts Board is a resource for all people in Wisconsin. If you are an arts educator or teaching artist, we encourage you to reach out with your questions and thoughts!
We are always looking for panelists who are willing to commit time and energy to our grant review process, especially those with a background in K-12 arts education. For more information, and to apply to be a panelist, submit an interest form.
This information was featured in the twenty-fifth edition of Creative Copy, a free service of the Wisconsin Arts Board.
Photo taken by Arts Board staff at FY25 Grantee Opera for the Young's performance of The Magic Flute.
Creative Copy is our bi-weekly newsletter distributing relevant information and important resources to artists and arts organizations in Wisconsin. If you think we missed something, or if you have a question, email vivienne.timchenko@wisconsin.gov, and if you haven't yet, make sure to subscribe to the Wisconsin Arts News and Creative Copy!