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What a weekend!

The Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium brought together an incredible community of artists, educators, and leaders to celebrate 20 years of DFS.

We were honored to be a part of this celebration and bring our team’s expertise, passion, and creativity to our sessions. Special shout out to our very own Mikaela Andres, Laura Clay, Meg Greene, and Brent Hasty!

Slides 1 & 2: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues”, in collaboration with Rebecca Corona, an ELA educator from Bertha Sadler
Means

Slide 3: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Stage Picture”

Slide 4: Analyzing images from the Creative Teaching strategy “Line Journey”, in collaboration with Maggie Fucile from The Blanton Museum of Art

Slide 5: Participants experiencing the Creative
Teaching strategy “Statues”

What a weekend!

The Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium brought together an incredible community of artists, educators, and leaders to celebrate 20 years of DFS.

We were honored to be a part of this celebration and bring our team’s expertise, passion, and creativity to our sessions. Special shout out to our very own Mikaela Andres, Laura Clay, Meg Greene, and Brent Hasty!

Slides 1 & 2: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues”, in collaboration with Rebecca Corona, an ELA educator from Bertha Sadler
Means

Slide 3: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Stage Picture”

Slide 4: Analyzing images from the Creative Teaching strategy “Line Journey”, in collaboration with Maggie Fucile from The Blanton Museum of Art

Slide 5: Participants experiencing the Creative
Teaching strategy “Statues”

What a weekend!

The Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium brought together an incredible community of artists, educators, and leaders to celebrate 20 years of DFS.

We were honored to be a part of this celebration and bring our team’s expertise, passion, and creativity to our sessions. Special shout out to our very own Mikaela Andres, Laura Clay, Meg Greene, and Brent Hasty!

Slides 1 & 2: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues”, in collaboration with Rebecca Corona, an ELA educator from Bertha Sadler
Means

Slide 3: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Stage Picture”

Slide 4: Analyzing images from the Creative Teaching strategy “Line Journey”, in collaboration with Maggie Fucile from The Blanton Museum of Art

Slide 5: Participants experiencing the Creative
Teaching strategy “Statues”

What a weekend!

The Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium brought together an incredible community of artists, educators, and leaders to celebrate 20 years of DFS.

We were honored to be a part of this celebration and bring our team’s expertise, passion, and creativity to our sessions. Special shout out to our very own Mikaela Andres, Laura Clay, Meg Greene, and Brent Hasty!

Slides 1 & 2: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues”, in collaboration with Rebecca Corona, an ELA educator from Bertha Sadler
Means

Slide 3: Participants experiencing the Creative Teaching strategy “Stage Picture”

Slide 4: Analyzing images from the Creative Teaching strategy “Line Journey”, in collaboration with Maggie Fucile from The Blanton Museum of Art

Slide 5: Participants experiencing the Creative
Teaching strategy “Statues”

What a finale!🎉

The Emerging Teaching Artists wrapped up their fellowship by bringing the magic to the Carver Museum as families explored, created, and connected.
Sewing, stamping, mural-making, Colombian drumming, and book-inspired drawing...there was something for every curious mind. Huge kudos to our teaching artists for showing up, adapting, and bringing their whole selves to every activity.

We are SO proud of our ETA fellows for bringing creativity, dedication, and heart to this ten week program! We are cheering them on as they continue their work increasing access to the arts as part of Austin’s Creative Community.

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.

What a finale!🎉

The Emerging Teaching Artists wrapped up their fellowship by bringing the magic to the Carver Museum as families explored, created, and connected.
Sewing, stamping, mural-making, Colombian drumming, and book-inspired drawing...there was something for every curious mind. Huge kudos to our teaching artists for showing up, adapting, and bringing their whole selves to every activity.

We are SO proud of our ETA fellows for bringing creativity, dedication, and heart to this ten week program! We are cheering them on as they continue their work increasing access to the arts as part of Austin’s Creative Community.

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.

Please join the MINDPOP and AISD CLI community as we toast another successful year of the nationally recognized Creative Learning Initiative and its mission of providing a quality, arts-rich education. You are the reason Austin students in and out of school have access to creative learning and the arts.

This year’s celebration will take place on May 21, 2026. RSVP for location and details.

Come see the work in action via submissions from both teachers and arts partners. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP at link in bio.

A full school. A full stage. A full celebration of Visual and Performing Arts 🎭

Dolores Gonzalez Elementary took their learning beyond the classroom and onto the stage at the National Hispanic Cultural Center for their annual end-of-year Variety Show. Every student performed, showcasing the music, dance, and creative work they’ve been building all year long.

As a Creative Campus, DG makes the arts a priority every single day, from weekly dance classes to live performances and hands-on experiences that build confidence and creativity.
A special thank you to the National Hispanic Cultural Center for being a valued community partner and hosting this incredible event each year. What a powerful way to celebrate students, families, and the arts.
@nhccnm @dgestigers @abqschools @mindpop @nmartsinedyear

Join MINDPOP and educator Solomon Masala for a casual, interactive Zoom designed for K–12 parents and caregivers. Together, we’ll explore simple creative teaching strategies that can help spark connection, conversation, and joy at home after school.

Solomon will lead us through practical ideas you can try right away—no art degree or school jargon needed. The chat will be open throughout, and we’ll close with a live Q&A so parents can ask questions and share what’s on their minds.

Come as you are, bring your questions, and leave with a few creative tools for making after-school moments feel more connected.

Thursday, May 7
5-5:45PM
RSVP at link in bio

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.

What started as a simple video turned into a really fun challenge 🎬

Students from @vikingsvalley , @hoovermshawks , @highlandhornets , and @mheshuskies365 each took on pieces of a shared script… without hearing the full thing. Lines, sentences, even thoughts were split between schools, so each student had to bring their own voice and energy without knowing how it would all come together.

The result? A collaborative piece that truly reflects the creativity, adaptability, and talent of our students. Huge thank you to everyone involved for jumping in and making it work.
Interested in bringing opportunities like this to your school? Reach out to us at VAPAdepartment@aps.edu or DM us to learn more about the Creative Campus Collective.
@mindpop @abqschools

Join us at the Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium as we celebrate and reflect on 20 years of DFS partnerships, programs and research.

Creative Learning Initiative community members —professionals, artists, educators, and leaders — share their perspectives through sessions throughout the symposium.

Dates:
9AM-5PM Friday, May 15
9AM-5PM Saturday, May 16

Location:
F. Loren Winship Drama Building at The University of Texas at Austin

Admission Details:
One day registration: $50 & Two day registration: $100
Light breakfast and lunch provided. Parking available if needed.

Registration closes May 4, 2026.

Discounts available for our community:
Get a 10% discount for individuals!
Use COVERED for one day registration Use 10COVERED for two day registration

Group rates are available.
Please reach out to Lara Dossett at laradossett@utexas.edu.

If attending is a financial barrier please reach out. There are options, and DFS’ primary goal is for the community to gather!

Join us at the Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium as we celebrate and reflect on 20 years of DFS partnerships, programs and research.

Creative Learning Initiative community members —professionals, artists, educators, and leaders — share their perspectives through sessions throughout the symposium.

Dates:
9AM-5PM Friday, May 15
9AM-5PM Saturday, May 16

Location:
F. Loren Winship Drama Building at The University of Texas at Austin

Admission Details:
One day registration: $50 & Two day registration: $100
Light breakfast and lunch provided. Parking available if needed.

Registration closes May 4, 2026.

Discounts available for our community:
Get a 10% discount for individuals!
Use COVERED for one day registration Use 10COVERED for two day registration

Group rates are available.
Please reach out to Lara Dossett at laradossett@utexas.edu.

If attending is a financial barrier please reach out. There are options, and DFS’ primary goal is for the community to gather!

Join us at the Drama for Schools (DFS) Symposium as we celebrate and reflect on 20 years of DFS partnerships, programs and research.

Creative Learning Initiative community members —professionals, artists, educators, and leaders — share their perspectives through sessions throughout the symposium.

Dates:
9AM-5PM Friday, May 15
9AM-5PM Saturday, May 16

Location:
F. Loren Winship Drama Building at The University of Texas at Austin

Admission Details:
One day registration: $50 & Two day registration: $100
Light breakfast and lunch provided. Parking available if needed.

Registration closes May 4, 2026.

Discounts available for our community:
Get a 10% discount for individuals!
Use COVERED for one day registration Use 10COVERED for two day registration

Group rates are available.
Please reach out to Lara Dossett at laradossett@utexas.edu.

If attending is a financial barrier please reach out. There are options, and DFS’ primary goal is for the community to gather!

“First as a learner, then as an educator.”

We use this phrase during many of our professional learning sessions to put our attendees in the mindset of a student.

Recently we had an amazing, engaged group of AISD leaders, academic coaches, campus instructional coaches, and admin in a cross-departmental exploration of how Creative Teaching enhances learning across the district.

We used the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues” to bring abstract thinking to life through the body.

What concepts do you think these statues are trying to convey?

We kept the creativity going by welcoming
@TypewriterRodeo, who transformed ideas into one-of-a-kind poems on the spot.

This is what inspired professional learning looks like ✨

“First as a learner, then as an educator.”

We use this phrase during many of our professional learning sessions to put our attendees in the mindset of a student.

Recently we had an amazing, engaged group of AISD leaders, academic coaches, campus instructional coaches, and admin in a cross-departmental exploration of how Creative Teaching enhances learning across the district.

We used the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues” to bring abstract thinking to life through the body.

What concepts do you think these statues are trying to convey?

We kept the creativity going by welcoming
@TypewriterRodeo, who transformed ideas into one-of-a-kind poems on the spot.

This is what inspired professional learning looks like ✨

“First as a learner, then as an educator.”

We use this phrase during many of our professional learning sessions to put our attendees in the mindset of a student.

Recently we had an amazing, engaged group of AISD leaders, academic coaches, campus instructional coaches, and admin in a cross-departmental exploration of how Creative Teaching enhances learning across the district.

We used the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues” to bring abstract thinking to life through the body.

What concepts do you think these statues are trying to convey?

We kept the creativity going by welcoming
@TypewriterRodeo, who transformed ideas into one-of-a-kind poems on the spot.

This is what inspired professional learning looks like ✨

“First as a learner, then as an educator.”

We use this phrase during many of our professional learning sessions to put our attendees in the mindset of a student.

Recently we had an amazing, engaged group of AISD leaders, academic coaches, campus instructional coaches, and admin in a cross-departmental exploration of how Creative Teaching enhances learning across the district.

We used the Creative Teaching strategy “Statues” to bring abstract thinking to life through the body.

What concepts do you think these statues are trying to convey?

We kept the creativity going by welcoming
@TypewriterRodeo, who transformed ideas into one-of-a-kind poems on the spot.

This is what inspired professional learning looks like ✨

Emerging Teaching Artists (ETA) Update!

It’s week 6 of our ETA fellowship and the fellows welcomed Jenny Arffmann from Creative Action for a hands-on session diving into the world of installation art - what it is, how it communicates, and how to use it as a teaching tool.

ETA is a space for artists passionate about arts education to develop their unique pedagogy and facilitation style. They’re building the skills, confidence, and creative toolkit to bring meaningful art experiences to all students in and out of school.

Drop a 🙌 in the comments if you believe every young person deserves access to art!

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.

@creativeaction @cityofaustinarts

Emerging Teaching Artists (ETA) Update!

It’s week 6 of our ETA fellowship and the fellows welcomed Jenny Arffmann from Creative Action for a hands-on session diving into the world of installation art - what it is, how it communicates, and how to use it as a teaching tool.

ETA is a space for artists passionate about arts education to develop their unique pedagogy and facilitation style. They’re building the skills, confidence, and creative toolkit to bring meaningful art experiences to all students in and out of school.

Drop a 🙌 in the comments if you believe every young person deserves access to art!

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.

@creativeaction @cityofaustinarts

Emerging Teaching Artists (ETA) Update!

It’s week 6 of our ETA fellowship and the fellows welcomed Jenny Arffmann from Creative Action for a hands-on session diving into the world of installation art - what it is, how it communicates, and how to use it as a teaching tool.

ETA is a space for artists passionate about arts education to develop their unique pedagogy and facilitation style. They’re building the skills, confidence, and creative toolkit to bring meaningful art experiences to all students in and out of school.

Drop a 🙌 in the comments if you believe every young person deserves access to art!

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.

@creativeaction @cityofaustinarts

Let’s get creative! Bring your family, friends, and your imagination.

Explore, play, and create with us at this free family-friendly event with hands-on art-making activities.

Saturday, May 9, 10:30am-12pm

RSVP at link in bio.

Family Art Fun activities will be facilitated by MINDPOP’s Emerging Teaching Artist Fellows.

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.

So grateful to everyone who joined us at #SXSWedu last week for “Shifting the Narrative on Arts Education!”

Thank you to every educator, advocate, and leader who showed up, shared your stories, helped spark new ideas and made new connections.

The conversation doesn’t stop here.

@aep_arts @mindpop @sxswedu
#artseducation #sxswedu2026 #sxsw2026

What a night!

Resiliency in Uncertain Times brought us together for an evening of meaningful conversations and hands-on art-making.

Gratitude to @aep_arts and @blantonmuseum for their partnership and bringing this event to life.

A heartfelt thank you to our community arts partners @atxsoundwaves for a mariachi performance that moved the whole room and to @mindfullivingwithsari @austinzinefriends @ernestocindydesign for leading hands-on workshops that invited guests to create, reflect, and connect.

This is what community looks like.

What a night!

Resiliency in Uncertain Times brought us together for an evening of meaningful conversations and hands-on art-making.

Gratitude to @aep_arts and @blantonmuseum for their partnership and bringing this event to life.

A heartfelt thank you to our community arts partners @atxsoundwaves for a mariachi performance that moved the whole room and to @mindfullivingwithsari @austinzinefriends @ernestocindydesign for leading hands-on workshops that invited guests to create, reflect, and connect.

This is what community looks like.

What a night!

Resiliency in Uncertain Times brought us together for an evening of meaningful conversations and hands-on art-making.

Gratitude to @aep_arts and @blantonmuseum for their partnership and bringing this event to life.

A heartfelt thank you to our community arts partners @atxsoundwaves for a mariachi performance that moved the whole room and to @mindfullivingwithsari @austinzinefriends @ernestocindydesign for leading hands-on workshops that invited guests to create, reflect, and connect.

This is what community looks like.

What a night!

Resiliency in Uncertain Times brought us together for an evening of meaningful conversations and hands-on art-making.

Gratitude to @aep_arts and @blantonmuseum for their partnership and bringing this event to life.

A heartfelt thank you to our community arts partners @atxsoundwaves for a mariachi performance that moved the whole room and to @mindfullivingwithsari @austinzinefriends @ernestocindydesign for leading hands-on workshops that invited guests to create, reflect, and connect.

This is what community looks like.