Art Educators

The School for Continuing and Professional Studies offers several opportunities for art educators

Educators Art Lab

Graduate level courses

Professional Development Network partnership

High school partnerships

Educators ArtLab

Educators ArtLab 
June 23rd - 28th, 2019

Kansas City Art Institute’s summer residency program for high-school art educators

KCAI invites art educators to campus to receive guided, rigorous instruction from esteemed faculty on new trends in the creative field. While spending one week dedicated to making art, educators will network with peers from around the country, visit The Nelson-Atkins and Kemper Museum of Art and learn first-hand about life at KCAI. 

Studio options include painting, photography and product design with rotating evening electives in a variety of mediums. 

Details:

Residency Cost: $389 fee includes campus housing and meals. 
An additional $275 is required for residents wishing to receive two graduate-level credits for their work in the program. Transportation is the responsibility of the resident.

Applications are completed online here.

February 1st Priority Application Deadline for Scholarship Review
March 1st Scholarship Recipients Notified 
Applications are accepted until the program is full. 

Questions? Contact us at:  

P: (816) 802-3333 
E: eal@kcai.edu

FAQ:

  • I am not a high-school or community college art educator, do I still qualify? Yes! Educators that teach lower levels are welcome to apply for the KCAI Educators ArtLab. High-school and community college educators are given priority acceptance to KCAI's Educator's ArtLab. Lower grade level educators are accepted as space is available. 
  • I am unsure of what concentration I should study during my residency. Do you have any suggestions? Yes! Educators are welcome to select from our three concentrations, painting, photography or product design. Some educators choose to work from their preferred medium, while others choose to think outside of the box and concentrate in an area that is less familiar. Educators of all learning backgrounds are welcome. Major studio space is given on a priority basis when the program fee is paid. Studio time during EAL is two-fold; educators will receive the opportunity to work on personal creative development while following guided instruction from esteemed faculty. Educators will leave KCAI with a variety of skills learned in many mediums to adapt to the classroom and practice. If you have further questions, you are welcome to email eal@kcai.edu. 
  • Is it required that I reside in the on-campus housing during the residency program? It is not required to stay on-campus, any off-campus stay must be arranged by the educator. There is no price difference staying off campus.
  • I have already attended KCAI's Educators ArtLab program. Am I allowed to participate again? Absolutely!

Educator Siobahn from Massachusettes works on her final painting in studio after hours and discusses EAL. Photo courtesy Silvia Abisaab. 

Student Interview

What has been your favorite aspect of the Educator's ArtLab at KCAI?

It's difficult to choose one favorite aspect about the Educators ArtLab at KCAI! The program is so smoothly run, from the check-in process, accommodations, tour of the campus, and time with admissions staff, to the delicious meals. The only thing I had to think about was my class. The class I took (Painting the Landscape with Robert Bingaman) was truly one of the best painting classes I've ever experienced. Part of the joy of this class was just listening to Robert encourage us to pay attention to what we were seeing and not worry about everything we did being so precious. Boy did I need that! We all did!

What motivated you to apply to our program?

Every summer I search for an art experience, hoping to explore a new city and immerse myself in art while learning more about a potential future art school for my many amazing students. I was excited to visit Kansas City and all the fantastic museums (right next to KCAI!) and was also super excited about focusing on my own work for a week. It really is a time to learn more about process and about yourself as an artist! 

What do you look forward to bringing back to your classroom?

I am most looking forward to passing on to my students the practice of plein-air drawing and painting and also try to spend more time encouraging them to take chances with their art! I also know I'll be recommending KCAI to students and their families!

About KCAI:

Founded in 1885, the Kansas City Art Institute is one of the oldest and most respected colleges of art and design in the United States. Today, KCAI is a premier, private, fully accredited college of art and design.

Mission: The mission of the Kansas City Art Institute is to prepare gifted students to transform the world creatively through art and design.

Vision: The vision of the Kansas City Art Institute is to be an innovative leader in art and design education.

Schedule:
Major Studio, M-Th 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
Lunch 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Major Studio, M-Th 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Dinner 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Elective and Open Studio, M-W 6 - 9 p.m.
Students have the opportunity to attend unique elective studios each evening or attend open major studio. Registration is available by drop-in day of. 
Free time to enjoy Kansas City and connect with peers 9 p.m. - on 
 
Throughout the week, educators will participate in activities held at KCAI and surrounding museums. The week concludes with an all studio critique that takes place at the exhibition of the installed works. Following the critique, the exhibition holds public hours before deinstallation.
 
Policies
Tuition Payment
KCAI cannot process payment for tuition after the completion of the program. Educators must pay for two graduate level credits at the time of checkout when paying for the program fee.
 
Gender Neutral Restrooms
KCAI has adopted the policy of gender neutral restrooms on campus in a variety of buildings, including the Living Center. This has been done in an effort to make KCAI’s campus more comfortable, safe and welcoming. KCAI values and celebrates the individuals that come together to form this community and seeks to provide spaces that respect the honor and dignity of everyone regardless of sex, gender or gender expression.

Residence Hall
Local educators that live within a 50 mile radius of the campus are eligible to live off campus during the program while attending mandatory activities and courses. The program fee still applies and commuting students are welcome to participate in meals at the Living Center. All other students will live in the Living Center on campus in individual rooms with a shared floor restroom. The Living Center includes an exercise room, cafeteria and shared living spaces per floor. 15 meals are included.
 
Refunds 
A 100% refund of the program fee, materials fee and tuition (if applicable) minus $25 processing fee is eligible if dropped one month prior to the program on May 23rd. A 50% refund of the program fee, materials fee and tuition minus a $25 processing fee is eligible after May 23rd to the start date of the program. No refund is eligible if dropped after the first class session. 
 
Grades
Grading Scale: A, B, C, D, F. Use + or – as required for educators completing the program for two graduate level credits. Students are not allowed to retroactively pay for credit, the final deadline to pay to receive credit is the start date of the program. 
 
Requesting Transcripts
Students that receive graduate level credit may request a transcript on August 1st through the National Student Clearing House. 
 
Notice of Non-Discrimination
KCAI is committed to a campus environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, where each individual has the right to a positive atmosphere that promotes equal opportunity, KCAI prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, creed, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other factor protected by law. This policy has been developed to ensure that all members of the campus community can be in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that all concerned are familiar with this policy and aware that any complaint of a violation will be investigated and resolved appropriately. 
 
Additional policies including campus security, severe weather and more can be found online here. 
 

Graduate level courses

Each semester, Continuing Education at the Kansas City Art Institute offers weekend courses for area art educators for professional development. Classes meet Friday through Saturday for two graduate level hours. Educators receive grades one month after the completion of the class and are able to request an official transcript at the National Student Clearing House. All classes require ten hours of outside homework and all classes are unique with a variety of mediums offered. 

Courses are non-cumulative and will not transfer to a master's degree program. Their intent and purpose is to help teachers meet criteria for re-certification and to provide professional development. 

KCAI has been approved as a continuing education provider through the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City. View course listings or enroll here.

Hotel accommodations

Many art educators make our graduate level classes a weekend getaway. Below is information on hotel accommodations. 

Holiday Inn (Main Street)
Marriot (Main Street)

Professional Development Network partnership

KCAI is a part of the Professional Development Network (PDN), a branch of the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City (CSDGKC). Additionally, our School for Continuing and Professional Studies has been approved as a continuing education provider for the CSDGKC.

We are pleased to offer all PDN and CSDGKC members a 20% tuition discount on Art Educator courses. This discount will be automatically applied when members enroll during the following promotional periods: February 1-15, June 15-30, and November 1-15. For credit courses outside of the Art Educators program are not eligible.

High School partnerships

Art clubs

KCAI is pleased to offer workshops for local high school art clubs to promote art development. 

Additional programs are offered through KCAI. Click on any of the topics below to learn more.

Visit KCAI
H&R Block Artspace
Jannes Library and Learning Center

Learn more about programs for your students.

Continuing education classes
Pre-College Art Lab three week summer residency

CPS Enroll

Click here to enroll today in a class at the School for Continuing and Professional Studies at KCAI.

Spring 2018 Brochure

Download a PDF copy of the spring brochure. 

What are you interested in?

Find a class by medium

Need a suggestion?

Visit our FAQ page and let us recommend classes relevant to your interests