DESCRIPTION

Upcoming challenges of the 21^stcentury require today’s students to develop skills in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. In order to reach their full potential and grow into self-motivated learners, children’s natural curiosity and explorative spirit must be nurtured.

Crayola has had a longstanding commitment to fostering creatively alive children and has challenged schools through innovative programs.  Crayola, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Art Education Association and the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills, has developed a free Professional Development Program called “Champion Creatively Alive Children.”

In this webinar Cheri Sterman, Crayola’s Director of Education and Consumer Relationships, will discuss their work with innovative schools, which are weaving creativity across the curriculum by promoting their art teachers to serve as a school Chief Creative Officers.  These CCOs are not only teaching students—but also helping teachers integrate creativity practices into their curriculum.  She will also address how creativity advocates can build momentum around their beliefs and “plan the change” we want to see. A Change Plan will be shared and webinar participants will add action steps to increase public value and recognition of the importance of creativity as a 21^st Century skill. 

PRESENTER 

Cheri Sterman, Crayola Director of Education and Consumer Relationships

Ms. Sterman is an experienced child advocate who served as Director of Child Development for the Governor of Ohio and taught at University of Cincinnati and Sinclair College in Ohio. She served as a member of the White House Committee for Children and Youth, the Pennsylvania Commission for Children, Conference Chairperson for Children’s Defense Fund, and child development speaker at the National Governor’s Association. Twenty years ago Cheri joined Crayola. She’s authored publications entitled, How Children Learn and The Power of Creativity, helping adults understand children’s potential.

RESOURCES:

P21 Common Core Toolkit

Crayola Champion Creatively Alive Children grant opportunity

1/19/2012 Webinar: Growing the Creative Economy

View another webinar from National Creativity Network

How does a community, state or region foster the growth of creative companies and jobs? First, we must define what the Creative Industry cluster is and what businesses and occupations are in this cluster.  How are creative industries measured? Can we come to a consensus on defining a core cluster for national comparison?  Once we define the Creative Economy how do we grow it?  Join the National Creativity Network for a lively conversation with panel experts representing organizations serving the creative industries and learn how these companies are contributing to new jobs and increased business.

Presenters:

Christine Harris is CEO of Christine Harris Connections, dedicated to connecting and serving the creative community. She is also Executive Advisor to Creative Alliance Milwaukee.

The Wormfarm Institute in Sauk County, Wisconsin, is rural creative placemaking at its best. It’s a 40-acre organic vegetable farm and creative hub, begun 15 years ago by artists Jay Salinas and Donna Neuwirth. Wormfarm aims to recreate the link that once existed between culture and agriculture with innovative and intuitive efforts that center around a sense of the land and the community.

See below for a list of the resources mentioned during the webinar: 

The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook, by Tom Borrup.  It was published by Fieldstone Alliance, which is now Turner Publishing.

Community Character - How arts and cultural strategies create, reinforce, and enhance sense of place

The Creative Class: A Key to Rural Growth

New Village Press

My article for them on creative communities

Project for Public Spaces

Placemaking Articles

Including “Nine Ways of Looking at Ourselves (Looking at Cities)”

Getting a Grip and other books by Frances Moore Lappe

Institute for Humane EducationActive culture

Blog: The Artful Manager, ArtsJournal.com
“A few weeks back, I got to follow NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman around Wisconsin (not in a creepy way) as he made a few whistle stops to celebrate art as a placemaker in communities. Of particular note was his visit to rural Reedsburg, Wisconsin, where an NEA grant is supporting the Farm/Art DTour, a self-guided driving tour of art installations, art/food stands, and pasture performances that launched in October and will return for a second round next fall.”