When some people think of “education” at Art21, they think about the amazing resources we provide educators who teach students of all ages: our broadcast series, Art in the Twenty-First Century, our digital series Extended Play and New York Close Up; our Educators’ Guides that help facilitate meaningful conversations and interactive project ideas in the classroom; and our professional development opportunities where workshops and presentations are tailored to meet the needs of schools, museums, and other cultural organizations.

But one of the best things I get to do as Art21’s Senior Education Advisor is help direct the Art21 Educators program that begins each July with our Summer Institute here in New York City. This is our ninth summer hosting Art21 Educators from the United States and Canada, and while I miss my colleague, Jessica Hamlin, who has moved on to greener pastures at NYU (love from all of us, Jess), I’ve never been more excited about the program and the way so many of our Art21 Educators from prior cohorts have begun to drive the Summer Institute workshops.

This year we’re proud to welcome ten new Art21 Educators to our Year 7 cohort. They include:

Ashley Cantor, P.S. K721, Brooklyn, NY

Molly Cornwell, Sylvan Park School, Los Angeles, CA

Tracie Dunn, Concord Carlisle High School, Concord, MA

Marie Elcin, Christopher Columbus Charter School, Philadelphia, PA

Grace Hulse, Fort Garrison Elementary School, Baltimore, MD

Alina Ianovskaia, Mulgrave School, West Vancouver, BC

LaRosa Jones-Arroyo, Springbrook High School, Silver Spring, MD

Alex Mendez, Inter-American Magnet School, Chicago, IL

Cory Schneider, Rodeph Sholom School, New York, NY

Anna Wolff, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI

These ten teachers will join us on July 5th for six intense and exciting days of learning, brainstorming, and growing. And this year we are proud to be hosted by the new Whitney Museum! Together, we will participate in workshops and discussions about teaching with contemporary art, visit galleries and museums, and work with select Art21-featured artists. This six-day intensive sets up a year-long professional development experience, where each teacher will work with mentors to implement resources and ideas developed during, and as a result of, this year’s institute.

Congratulations and welcome to this year’s new Art21 Educators!