The expression “art speaks where words are unable to explain” is the reason why exploring your artistic side is a powerful way to share your creative vision. More powerful still is the ability to share that creativity through the art of teaching, specifically to K-12 students. Being the one awakening another person’s joy is an art in itself. RMCAD’s Art Education classes are helping students acquire the technical tools and teaching philosophies they need to hone their skills both as an artist, and as a teacher!
As a student in the Art Education Program, you’ll get on-the-ground teaching experience that gives you the opportunity to develop real-world skills that set you up for success in the classroom. Our students explore critical inquiry while they delve into teaching philosophies and techniques that allow you to develop your own unique teaching style.
With a high-level of support and resources throughout your art education, you’ll graduate confident and ready to inspire a new generation of talented artists.
Students learn the following: artistic agency is the acknowledged ability to make choices and create change. Agency implies a belief that what artists do affects the world around us and makes a difference. (Gude, 2009).
Students demonstrate professionalism in the field through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
Students apply a variety of assessment practices in order to develop and support classroom instruction, motivation, and continuous feedback on the learning process.
Students develop lessons and instruction that represent the importance of making choices and creating change through art.
Students demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
Students demonstrate a commitment to learning through works written or created. Artists/Educators seek to be models of high standards in art and education through their professional composition.
*The Art Education Department uses Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Educator Preparation Standards, which include Educator Preparation Teacher Quality Standards (5.0 – 5.04), Educator Preparation English Language Learner Standards (EL), and the Visual Arts Standards (Grades K-12) (4.04).
The Liberal Arts curriculum is an exciting part of every student’s academic and creative journey at RMCAD. These courses provide the opportunity for students to engage with complex questions and ideas to develop critical thinking skills, a global consciousness, and awareness of art historical foundations that are essential for their intellectual, creative, and personal growth.
The curious engagement with communities, perspectives, and narratives that do not match our own offers the opportunity to see one’s personal and creative role in our local, national, and global communities.
The willingness to ask questions and resist easy answers & simplistic dualities offers the opportunity to more clearly understand the complexity and multifaceted reality of history, creativity, and human communities.
The ability to read closely, critique freely, and seek additional verifiable information offers the opportunity to more holistically discern the veracity of the information that inundates our lives.
Art Education is the nexus of the cultural expression of yesterday and today, delivered to students in a format that excites and inspires. You will learn theoretical approaches to contemporary art teaching, a critical lens to examine school practices, and core teaching methods that are unique to your style, while tapping into your own creativity with 15 credit hours in your emphasis area.
All Art Education students will spend time in K-12 art classrooms throughout their degree. Each student will locate art classrooms in which to observe licensed art teachers and their students. Most of our art education courses have observation hours built into the curriculum to support RMCAD students in understanding the complexity of the teaching profession. In addition, each RMCAD student will complete two student teaching terms (elementary and middle/secondary) where they will work full-time and in-person to with mentor teachers.
* RMCAD offers classes year-round in both on-campus and online delivery formats. At RMCAD, we believe that online learning is an important part of the overall college learning experience. To provide students multiple scheduling options, diverse learning modalities, and experience in the virtual environment, all on-campus students are required to take part in online education.
As a RMCAD student, you are joining a supportive community of art educators. You’ll experience:
Become an art teacher!
RMCAD’s Art Education Program is approved by both the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Graduates can apply for a Colorado K-12 teaching license in visual arts and begin their career of shaping lives in the classroom. But the opportunities don’t stop there, learn more about additional potential career paths!
Some of these jobs may require further certifications.
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Whether you are looking to positively impact the next generation of artists and storytellers, or design the curriculum behind it, a degree in art education is certainly a career path filled with rewarding opportunities. From
There is something truly special about a calling to education. At RMCAD, we are lucky to welcome so many outstanding students who are ready to pursue a creative career as a teacher and mentor in
The RMCAD Art Education teacher preparation program is approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). RMCAD graduates in Art Education are prepared to apply for a K-12 teaching license in Art with the Colorado Department of Education.
RMCAD’s Art Education BFA allows graduates to apply for their Colorado Teaching Licensure and teach in the state of Colorado. Students interested in teaching in another state will first apply for their Colorado Licensure through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and then may be eligible to transfer licensure to their state. Students should contact their state licensing agency to find out the exact requirements for transferring an out of state license.
There’s no substitute for a great teacher. To become one, you must have one. RMCAD’s Art Education instructors are invested in your success.
Join the conversation and get inspired at the latest Art Education event.
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