photo by Melody Weintraub
I have never met an art teacher who said that they had adequate storage space in their art room. This is quite possibly because we like to “collect” things for lessons we might do…someday. We also like to “collect” supplies, books, posters, tchotchkes, freebies, cardboard, buckets and the list goes on. After all, the art teacher with the most toys..wins? Not! We need to support each other along this journey. Evaluate what you have, what you are actively using, and what you can actually part with by starting with duplicates. Then seek out other art teachers in your community who might need what you have due to a lack of funding or because of a new position. Check with your administration to be sure it’s okay for you to dispose of it. Post it on social media. Be willing to deliver it if possible. Or, set up a trade fair at your school or at your state conference and swap art stuff. Due to budget cuts in the arts that continue at an alarming rate, there is even more reason for us to share the love!