The Arts Network
Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV
Welcome...
The Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV Arts Network was established to provide professional development opportunities and outreach to the visual arts, music, theater, and dance teachers in the districts in our region.
For questions, please contact:
Shannon Smith
Educational Consultant - ELA
The Arts Network
Visual Art
November/December 2024 Resources
The Art of Social Theory: Digital Curriculum Portfolio, Thursday Oct 24, 7:00 pm ET
Practicing What You Teach: Transforming Talent into Career Opportunity, Tuesday, Oct 29, 7:00 pm ET
ET Study Shows That Viewing Real Art in Museums Stimulates Brain Much More than Reproductions
5 Expert Drawing Tips to Inspire You to Start Sketching
2025 Art Effect Competition is now open!
Spring 2024 Resources
Reimagine Libraries and Media Centers
Sustainability Projects for Students
No Wheel? No Problem! 5 Functional Handbuilding Clay Project Ideas Students Love
3 Ridiculous and Spontaneous Ways to Bring Poetry Into the Art Room
Storage Solutions for Hard-To-Store Supplies
November/December 2023 Updates and Resources
Global Thinking: 13 Ways Art Has the Power to Promote Global Connections
10 Easy Strategies to Apply Brain-Based Learning in the Art Room
What Can Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) Look Like in the Art Room?
7 Engaging Ways to Teach the Elements and Principles of Art and 3 Fun Ways to Review Them
How Art Supplies Are Made and How Students Can Make Their Own
Embrace the Pause: Exploring the Benefits of Boredom in Art Classes
How Executive Functions Help You Beat Stress Better in Your Art Teacher Life
7 Contemporary Artists and Their Historical Influence(s): Merging Past and Present
The Ultimate Guide to Project-Based Learning in Your Art Room: 3 Benefits and 5 Steps
How To Delegate, Let Go, and Outsource in the Art Room and at Home
6 Ways the Visual Arts Promotes Resilient Learners for Life
October 2023 Updates and Resources
7 Reasons Everyone’s Favorite Coach Comes from the Art Room
PBS Learning Media - Visual Art
11 Different Types of Painting That Every Artist Should Know
Teaching With Contemporary Art
PBS Learning Media - KQED Art School
Setting the Stage: Practical Idea for Implementing High-Quality Afterschool Arts Programs
Has Arts Education Failed the BIPOC Communities?
50 SEL Sketchbook Prompts to Help Start Your Day
100 Silly Drawing Prompts to Engage Your Students
New Art Teachers and Mentors
First-Year Art Teacher’s Guide
September 2023 Updates and Resources
The Framework For Teaching EVALUATION INSTRUMENT
Use the following links to be directed to resources on Visual Art:
Four Strategies to Effectively Manage 30 Minute Kindergarten Art Classes
What You Should Know About ChatGPT and the Art Room
8 Unexpected Ways to Use Ink Pens in the Art Room
6 Ways to Use Books in the Art Classroom to Support ELA and Visual Literacy
Music
November/December 2024 Resources
Survey: The Music Teacher Advisory Committee wants to hear from you! Share your story.
Free Arts Integration and STEAM Lesson Ideas
Arts in Mind (Grades 6-12) features a series of interviews supporting learning paths and college/career readiness in music.
Podcast: Ideas to Easily Bring Music Technology into Your Classroom
Nominate a Music Educator for the 2026 GRAMMY Music Educator Award, deadline March 15, 2025.
Wenger Corporation offers free Downloadable Teaching Resources
Teaching Channel Lesson Plan: Musical Selection, Grades 3-5
Teaching Channel Podcast: The Power of Music and the Sunshine Ratio
Teaching Channel Downloadable Activity: Teaching for Equity in the Music Classroom
Spring 2024 Resources
How to Keep Music in Our Schools
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Digital Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
On-demand access through the St. Louis Symphony is available until July 31, 2024.
Virtual Modern Band 102: Free Virtual Workshop, Saturday, April 27, 2024.
2nd Annual NAfME General Music Virtual Mini-Conference - Saturday, April 27, 2024
November/December Updates and Resources
Making AI Your Personal Music Teaching Assistant
Examining Cultural Expression through Music
Carnegie Hall’s Great Music Teaching Podcast
Carnegie Hall’s Listen and Learn
Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge 2023
Guitar Best Practices: Years 1, 2, 3, & 4
Les Paul Foundation: Study Units
October 2023 Updates and Resources
A Dozen Fun, Productive, Refreshing Activities to Help Recharge Your Ensemble
Back-to-School Music Rituals to Boost Positive Classroom Culture
Curriculum Design for the K-12 Modern Band Instructor
The Way Hip-Hop Artists Use AI Is Going to Blow Your Mind! | Hip-Hop and the Metaverse
Harnessing Digital Performance
New Teachers and Mentors
5 Skills of an Engaged and Enthusiastic Mentee
What Tips for Mentors/Mentees Have Proven Useful in Your Experience?
Between the Podium and Me: Recruiting and Mentoring a Diverse Body of Future Music Teac
September 2023 Updates and Resources
Music as a Tool for Empowerment / Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World
Sharing Days: Assessing Creativity through Producing Original Music
Use the following links to be directed to resources on Music:
Why Does Music Affect Our Mood So Much
Expanding Narratives About American History and Culture: Music and Musicians
Summer Music Educators Workshop
15 Best Websites for Music Education
Theater
November/December 2024 Resources
Teaching Channel: Teaching Drama to Empower Your Students
How to Use a Small Cast Play in Your Drama Classroom
How to Use a Small Cast Play in Your Drama Classroom Part 2
8 Ways to Elevate Your Patron Experience
Free Arts Integration and STEAM Lesson Ideas
Designing Sets and Costumes on a Budget
7 Tips to Creating a More Inclusive Theatre
Arts Express (Grades K-5) features a series of lessons supporting elementary theatre standards. Arts in Mind (Grades 6-12) features a series of interviews supporting learning paths and college/career readiness in theatre.
Vocal Warmup Exercise: Giants, Elves, Wizards, and More
Theatrefolk provides a helpful list: Top 10 most popular downloads from the past year:
1. Stage Makeup in the Classroom: Toolkit
2. Theatrical Timeline Toolkit
4. Playwriting Exercise: Quill, Fountain, and Glitter Gel Pen Scenes
5. Embracing Beginning Mindset for Drama Students
6. Tips for Writing a Murder Mystery Play
7. 10 Quick and Easy Name Games
9. Costume Organization & Storage Tips
10. How to Get Student Actors to Stop Rushing
Spring 2024 Resources
Educational Theatre Association
November/December Updates and Resources
Students with Disabilities Take the Stage
October 2023 Updates and Resources
U.S Department of Education Nationwide Call for Student Performing Artists
PBS Learning Media - History of Theater
September 2023 Updates and Resources
National Endowment for the Arts: Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
Use the following links to be directed to resources on theater: