Art Ed Radio

In this November mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz and guest Amanda Heyn answer listener questions about some of the biggest challenges in today's art rooms. They discuss how to respond when administrators push for more digital art, how to help students develop realistic expectations as they navigate social media, and how clear routines can make cleanup less chaotic.   Tim and Amanda also share practical ideas for running art club with flexible attendance and a variety of skill levels. Along the way, they talk about hands-on learning, fine motor skills, process-based goals, collaborative projects, advocacy, and protecting the joy of making art. Listen for strategies to use right away, then send your questions to [email protected] for a future mailbag! Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Learn more about AOE's PRO Learning Register for Art Ed NOW in January! Meaningful One-Day Lesson Ideas for When Time and Art Supplies Are Scarce Art Club Unlocked: How to Run an Art Club That Changes the World!

Halloween is Jen Leban's favorite holiday, so Art Ed Radio host Tim Bogatz invited her back on the show to talk about costumes, candy, creepy music, and the special kind of creative chaos that takes over schools in late October. Jen shares why Halloween feels different from other holidays, how she is recreating the dancing pumpkin meme this year, and what is happening inside The Art of Ed Community's annual costume contest. Tim and Jen also debate whether costumes belong at school, swap favorite Halloween playlist recommendations, and share practical ways to turn Halloween energy into creative opportunities. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Register for Art Ed NOW in January! The Top 10 Treats Waiting for You in The Art of Ed Community Find the Art Club Tricks and Treats Recording 6 Creepy Artworks to Celebrate Halloween Art Teacher Horror Stories, Part Two The Dancing Pumpkin Man that inspired Jen "My Body's a Zombie for You" by Dead Man's Bones "A Nightmare on My Street" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince "Dracula" by Tame Impala Find Jen's complete Halloween playlist here

What would you say is the most dangerous part of your art room? In this solo episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz explores the everyday systems, routines, tools, and materials that can create risk in a busy art room. From crowded supply stations and blocked walkways to sharp tools, kilns, dust, chemicals, and cleanup routines, Tim shares practical strategies to make your classroom safer without limiting creativity or experimentation. He focuses on eight ideas you can implement in the near future, along with simple changes that can make safe choices easier for you and your students. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Learn more about AOE's PRO Learning Register for Art Ed NOW in January! How to Be Safe and Successful with Clay Setting Up Positive and Productive Routines

In this Halloween-inspired episode from the archives of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz and Amanda Heyn share some of the funniest, grossest, and most unbelievable art teacher horror stories submitted by listeners. From a first-day-of-teaching vomit incident and exploding paint to a sculpture project destroyed by spray paint and a student-teaching placement marked by sabotage, these stories capture some unexpected and unbelievable stories from the art room. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the AOE YouTube Channel 6 Creepy Artworks to Celebrate Halloween The Best Art-Inspired Halloween Costumes Find out about the Art Ed NOW Conference

In this October mailbag episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz welcomes back Amanda Heyn for an honest and practical conversation about the challenges art teachers are facing this fall. After a long introduction and some great introductions (skip to about 14:45 if you just want the mailbag), Tim and Amanda answer listener questions about back-to-back elementary art classes, advocating for a more workable schedule, protecting time for cleanup and preparation, and finding realistic ways to make a required curriculum more meaningful for students. The conversation also explores whether teachers can (or should!) continue a personal art practice when their work may be considered controversial, and why educators deserve grace when their energy changes throughout the school day. Resources and Links Come join the Art of Ed Community! Check out the AOE YouTube Channel Balancing Structure and Choice in Your Curriculum Making the Most of Every Minute