UHCL : Arts Conference Brings Creativity To The Classroom

Press release from University of Houston-Clear Lake:

October 4, 2021

University of Houston-Clear Lake Art School for Children and Young Adults and the Houston Arts Partners (HAP) will present a conference on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
where educators can receive continuing education credits and children can receive
complimentary instruction in a variety of art projects.

The Houston Arts Partners conference will take place in the Bayou Theater and will offer arts-based strategies, creative classroom approaches and professional
arts partnerships for teachers of all subjects, not just art, who wish to bring more
creativity to the classroom.

"This is the first time the art school has been a part of the HAP events," said Clinical Assistant Professor of Education David Moya, who is also the director of the Art School for Children. "This event solidifies
UH-Clear Lake as a cultural arts space and a place where teachers can also get professional
development."

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Outspoken Bean, Houston's official
poet laureate for 2021-2023. Bean uses poetry to involve audiences and create new
and engaging art. He was the first poet to perform on the Houston Ballet's main stage
and has also been commissioned to write and perform a national campaign on diversity.
He serves as the project coordinator, lead coach and mentor for Meta-Four Houston.

Moya added that in the summer, the Art School for Children and Young Adults also offered
summer art workshops for teachers. "This is another tie-in," he said. "It's a big
win for the university, with lots of vendors from universities and community colleges
attending. It's one more way we increase the access pipeline for our students."

In addition to the professional development for instructors, the Art School for Children
and Young Adults will be offering free art activities for children in grades K-6 as
a part of the attending adult's $30 registration fee. "I love this aspect of the conference,"
Moya said. "If a teacher wants to take these sessions, they don't have to find a sitter
for their kids. Just bring them along and let them have fun."

Register for the HAP conference online.

This press release was produced by University of Houston-Clear Lake. The views expressed here are the author’s own.