NAWA Artist/Educator “IMAGINARY PLAYGROUND” Project

“Imaginary Playground” is a unique art project conducted by NAWA Signature Members who are also Educators, including people who teach in a public or private school environment or whether they hold classes in their own in-person or online sessions. The ages of the students and the mediums in which they work are no barrier to engagement in this creative project.

Artist/Educator members encourage students of all ages to explore the power of creativity and imagination, promoting happiness, and wellness and providing an antidote to stress, particular to these difficult times. Through the “Imaginary Playground” students are inspired to envision and explore ways to achieve their goals. The project offers a platform for students to express their thoughts and ideas through various mediums under the guidance of NAWA Artist/Educators.

NAWA Educators create a safe and nurturing environment where students can freely express themselves while adding practical art skills. The overarching theme of “Imaginary Playground” applies to any age or grade level, and provides a flexible framework where students and teachers can explore their individual preferences and artistic mediums. The project recognizes that each student has a unique entry point, allowing them to engage with the theme and concept in a way that resonates with them personally. Similarly, teachers are encouraged to present the project to their students using the medium of their choice, tailoring it to their specific teaching style and the needs of their students. The “Imaginary Playground” project embraces students and teachers’ diverse interests, talents, and abilities by offering this flexibility. It allows for various artistic expressions and approaches, ensuring an inclusive and enriching experience for all participants.

Benefits of participation in the project:

1. NAWA Artist/Educators can showcase their work and teaching philosophy through the students’ art show.
2. NAWA Artist/Educators will get more exposure to their teaching philosophy, workshops, or classes by highlighting their studios on the NAWA social media channels through links to their studio
3. NAWA Artist/Educators will get publicity through collaboration with NAWA NOW, NAWA News, NAWA’s extensive social media presence, email marketing, and other publications.
4. NAWA Educators might be eligible for art supplies through the confirmed collaboration with Royal Talens, an historic manufacturer of professional art supplies. Shipping costs may apply.

To participate in the “Imaginary Playground” project that will be displayed on the NAWA website and featured in NAWA NOW and Edu publications, NAWA teachers need to follow the below steps:

Please email Elena Zelenina at: chair_membership@thenawa.org the following information with the Subject line Imaginary Playground:

1. Your name, the name of your Educator’s studio, or any information that can help potential students find you.
2. Submit one or two paragraphs about your teaching philosophy or information about your studio, which will be similar to your artist statement. It will help us understand your teaching approach and philosophy and how it aligns with the project’s objective to showcase your work.
3. Ask your students to sign the release form that NAWA will provide to ensure that they or their parents/guardians have consented to participate in the project and that they and their work can be publicly displayed.
4. Submit images with captioning of the student’s work in progress. Work in Progress photos with the names of the students are very helpful in documenting the students’ creative journey and showcasing the process of creating their artwork with publicity collaboration partners.
5. Submit the final works with the full names of the students. Please note that only students who signed the NAWA release forms are allowed to participate in the submission for publications. This ensures that the artwork of students who have yet to consent to participate is not published.
6. After the show is published on the NAWA website, each educator will share the site with their students, friends, and their own marketing sources. This helps promote the project, the educator, and the students’ artwork and encourages more people to participate.
7. NAWA will help the educators write a local press release about the project with the template the NAWA PR team will provide.

Congratulations on being a NAWA Signature Member Artist/Educator. This benefit will help you expand your student’s reach and showcase your teacher’s talent while promoting creativity, wellness, and happiness!

TIMELINE

Project start: Now

Training: Social Media Training for video/photos/writing for the Edu artists, September-October 2023

Submission of Finished Artwork Deadline: January 10, 2024

Art Show on NAWA website: February 1, 2024 – March 15, 2024

For a full explanation of the benefits and to inquire further about the project,
please email Marina Duvidzon, the project lead, at marinaduvidzon@gmail.com.