Artsonia: More Than Just An Online Art Gallery

Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by Theresa McGee in All Posts, Positive Reinforcement, Tech Stuff

ArtsoniaIf you’re an art educator, chances are that you have heard of or even have been using Artsonia as a place to “digitally hang” student artwork.   When I started using Artsonia six years ago, I knew it would be good for my students; what I didn’t know at the time was how it would become an amazing art advocacy tool.

Artsonia has become better than any student art show I could host; it reaches more family and friends, regardless of geographic distance or busy schedule, communicates art concepts in project descriptions, reinforces student technology use, and generates funds for your program. It does all that . . . without all the staples and tape.

The benefits breakdown:

  • Generates funds for your art program.  Artsonia is completely free to use and 15% of the revenue from purchased products, featuring your student’s artwork, goes back to your art program. (via Dick Blick art supplies credit or check to your school art program)
  • Artwork stays online forever! The vision of Artsonia is to someday have your 2nd graders show their artwork to their children and grandchildren by way of their Artsonia gallery. Older students love looking back at how they have grown as an artist over the years.
  • Communicates your art objectives for each art experience.  When parents understand what their child is learning it validates and builds support for your art curriculum.
  • Motivates children to do their best in class when they know hundreds of people could see their artwork from around the world.
  • Fan Clubs reach family members and friends who might otherwise never see student art, updating them via email each time an artwork is added.
  • Comments left for artists from visitors are a great self-esteem boost!  All comments must be approved by parents so it is completely monitored (by someone other than you).

    • Ok, sounds good but. . .
    . . . well here are some of the nuts and bolts to help you get you started.


    Can’t see video above? Click here.

    Permission slips. Depending on your school policy, you may be required to get permission slips for participating artists.  Make your own or download and customize one of these templates: Casual or Formal (Microsoft Word format). Be sure to include a space for parent email addresses on your permission slip. Increasing participation from family and friends is the key to success in Artsonia.  It is worth the extra time to enter emails – parents get an email each time artwork is published or comments are posted, continually keeping them in touch with the learning going on in your classroom.

    Volunteers. I started using volunteers to help me last year (I don’t know why I waited so long).  I keep a bin to hold artwork ready to photograph along with a binder holding class lists, and a camera (with extra batteries).  When artwork is ready, I send out an email to my volunteer list.  The first volunteer to “Reply All” agrees to photograph and digitally crop the artwork.  The only step left is uploading – something I still prefer to do myself, but certainly doable for a volunteer.  In the fall I do a training session and provide this Photography Tip Sheet and Guidelines for volunteers to reference.

    Start slow and set a goal. My first year participating in Artsonia I promised to put up one piece of art for each student.  I ended up adding more, but I felt like I didn’t raise any expectations too high for the students or myself.

    Do you use Artsonia?  Please add your school page and any tips in the comments area below.

    The Importance of Art in Education

    Posted on 17. Jun, 2009 by Theresa McGee in All Posts, In The News, Neat Video

    2008 Arts Report CardYesterday the National Assessment of Educational Progress released the 2008 Arts Report Card. This survey and assessment compared 8th grade students in 2008 with those in 1997. Click here to view a sample question in the study then test yourself.

    Here are a few of the findings in Visual Arts:

    • “Students eligible for National School Lunch Program have lower average responding score in visual arts than those who were not eligible. There is a 29-point score gap between the groups.”
    • “Eighth-graders in private schools have higher average creating task score in visual arts than students in public schools.”

    Additional insight into the study can be found in a New York Times article.

    Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, perhaps summed it up best:

    “This Arts Report Card should challenge all of us to make K-12 arts programs more available to America’s children and youth. Such programs not only engage students’ creativity and academic commitment today, but they uniquely equip them for future success and fulfillment. We can and should do better for America’s students.”

    This study reminded me of my unofficial job as an advocate for the arts. The TeacherTube video below makes a great case for supporting the arts in every community.
    Arts advocacy articles you may find useful:
    Age of the Right Brain
    Visual Interaction with Art Boosts Academic Achievement
    Why Arts Education is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best
    Arts Appear to Play a Role in Brain Development
    Three Rs Are Essential, but Don’t Forget the A – the Arts
    Technology Makes Art Education a Bigger Draw

    Update 6/17/09: NAEA, Maximizing The Nation’s Arts Report Card - Great review of 2008 Arts Report Card with key findings and links to news press articles.

    National Culture Secretary

    Posted on 19. Jan, 2009 by Hillary Andrlik in All Posts, Cool+Creative, In The News

    A ground swell of excitement for the inauguration of a young hip new president brings a push for the appointment of a cabinet level secretary of the arts. Renowned music producer Quincy Jones has personally advocated for a national culture secretary for the past ten years. Last year an online petition was even started by New York musicians Jamie Austria and Peter Weitzner to grow support for Jones’ idea. 

    Today’s article - Quincy Jones urges national culture secretary to Cabinet - published by The Washington Times sites how the arts not only allows children to express themselves, but also creates new jobs and strong growth.