2025-2026 ELEMENTARY ART COHORT
Now in it’s third season, the Elementary Art Cohort is a professional development experience designed for new teachers, classroom generalists who are teaching their own art, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers who are new to teaching, as well as elementary visual arts specialists who want to deepen their practice. Participants will engage in collaborative learning with other educators committed to advancing artistic thinking and creative literacy in elementary learners. Whether you are an experienced art educator refining your approach or a classroom teacher integrating the arts into your curriculum, this cohort will support your growth with structure, flexibility, and inspiration.
Over the course of the year, participants will engage with a cycle of learning that centers on big ideas, artistic inquiry, studio experimentation, and reflection. The work is grounded in frameworks such as the Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts, the Studio Habits of Mind, and concept-based curriculum and instruction. Teachers will walk away with usable, classroom-ready curriculum units, strategies for formative and summative assessment, and a renewed understanding of how artistic thinking supports deep learning across content areas.
Cohort Members Can Expect:
- Hands-on media experiences across 2D, 3D, digital, and mixed media
- Curriculum development support: Create, revise, or refine a concept-based unit aligned to MN Academic Standards in the Arts
- Professional dialogue with fellow educators through peer feedback and collaboration protocols
- Resources and exemplars to take directly into your classroom practice
- Personalized feedback and coaching as you implement new strategies and approaches
This Cohort is Ideal For:
- K–5 visual arts specialists
- Classroom teachers integrating visual arts
- Arts Integration Coordinators
- Early-career, Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers seeking a foundation for strong curriculum and assessment design
Requirements to Join the Cohort:
- A teacher (or desire to teach) of visual arts within the generalist’s classroom or new to the visual arts classroom at the elementary level
- Ability and commitment to attend all three in-person sessions at Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley
- Ability to collaborate and engage in hands-on visual arts experiences
Cohort Meeting Dates (three all day workshops):
The Elementary Art Cohort will meet in person at Perpich Center for Arts Education three times throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. These are full-day sessions (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) with a break for lunch. Cohort members are required to attend all three workshop days.
- Thursday, November 13, 2025
- Tuesday, February 17, 2026
- Thursday, April 9, 2026
More Details:
- The Elementary Art Cohort will meet in person at Perpich Center for Arts Education: 6125 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55422
- Workshops are full-day sessions (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) with a break for lunch.
- Lunch is provided for each workshop.
- There is no cost to participate in this cohort.
- A clock hours form will be provided after each workshop day.
Sign up now and unlock a world of creativity and innovation for your students!
Questions? Contact jeremy.holien@pcae.k12.mn.us
