Integrating Creativity in the Art Classroom with Tamara Doleman

How is teaching art different than teaching creativity? How do you teach creativity in the context of art? In this episode of Fueling Creativity, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood speak with Tamara Doleman, head of the Visual Art department at Ashbury College in Canada. Tamara has a Master’s degree in creativity and has coached individuals, run workshops, written articles, and presented a TEDX talk on the topic of creativity in schools. She’s passionate about exploring the intersection between art, creativity, wellbeing, and the growth and healing potential it can provide our communities and schools.

Listen in to learn about Tamara’s deliberate approach to teaching creativity in the art classroom and the difference between teaching art and teaching creativity. She details the many benefits of teaching for creativity in schools, especially now during the pandemic, along with how to facilitate a long-term program for creativity in your classroom.

“Creativity is the celebration of pluralism and diversity. I think that our world, in essence, really needs to come to terms with the fact that all of us are different and we all have something to contribute to the world. And so, when we’re teaching for creativity, we’re really teaching an individual how to be comfortable with who they are and start to think about what they want to bring into the world… to make it a better, more enjoyable, beautiful place”

- Tamara Doleman

Tamara’s Tips for Teachers and Parents:

Read up on creativity, but also read up on what skills and characteristics different artists have. Were they risk-takers, detail-oriented, etc?
Don’t focus on and criticize the outcome of a creative experience. Focus on the creative process and how each student differs from one another.
Acknowledging how you talk to yourself during your creative process is an opportunity for learning in a creative space. Encourage your kids to work through frustration, getting stuck, and their inner critic.
Engagement and connection will increase once you focus on creativity in the classroom.
Set up expectations and awareness around behaviors and how our actions impact others.
Foster a space where kids feel comfortable being playful and coming up with crazy ideas.

Eager to bring more creativity into your home or classroom?

Access various creativity resources and tools & listen to more episodes of The Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast by visiting www.CreativityandEducation.com.

What to learn more about Design Thinking in Education?

Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to learn how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom.

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About Tamara Doleman:

Tamara Doleman has been teaching for over 20 years. Her experience includes teaching a variety of subjects in elementary and secondary, in single sex and co-educational schools, both public and private. She is head of the Visual Arts department at Ashbury College in Ottawa, Canada. Tamara has a Master’s degree in Creativity from SUNY Buffalo State. She has coached individuals, run workshops, written articles, and presented a TEDX talk on the topic of creativity in schools. She is passionate about exploring the intersection between art, creativity, wellbeing, and the growth and healing potential it can provide our communities and schools. Her future goals involve getting training in expressive arts therapies.

Integrating Creativity in the Art Classroom with Tamara Doleman

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