What people are saying about ThinkTank4:TT4

I am impressed with all the detail and care being brought towards this organization. All I can say is—let’s all keep the wheels turning and give these students the best possible education we can offer!                              Tony Reynaldo, The Ohio State University

Think Tank is a great opportunity for participants to spend time reflecting on their own philosophical underpinnings for teaching, as well as how these ideas drive their pedagogy. By meeting people from around the States who are teaching in different contexts with different challenges, participants are inadvertently asked to look at the issue of teaching art from multiple perspectives and directions…

Fellowship winner Harrigan Bowman, Columbia University

Think Tank will open your eyes to possibilities of not only foundations, but pedagogical practices as well.  You will come away energized and renewed from the experience.  The networking and empathetic practices are very valuable. 

Brent Thomas, West Virginia State University

It was a great opportunity to interact with artists who are passionate about education. I found it to be an inspiring experience, one that made me want to get out there and change a thing or two about our institutions. ThinkTank4 opened my eyes to a world of professionals who are truly passionate about art and the way artists are educated.  I found everyone to be extremely generous and the environment itself was one of encouragement.   

Fellowship winner Anna Kell

TT4 is an essential springboard for a newly graduated MFA seeking to enter into a Foundations Program.  Fellowship winner Oliver Schemm

ThinkTank offers the MFA graduate, emerging educator, or seasoned administrator the possibility to engage in the most compelling discussions involving art in higher education today.               

Anthony Fontana, Bowling Green State University

I have gained practical skills from Stage 2 that I would have learned nowhere else. Wonderful, nuts-and-bolts skills such as learning to write a mission statement and learning objectives. I was subsequently asked (as an adjunct) to join a committee of full-time faculty members to help create a new draft of the departmental mission statement and learning objectives. I would also recommend ThinkTank as an excellent way for emerging educators to get a sense of the intellectual possibilities of the profession--it has been very inspiring for me. The intellectual curiosity and rigor of ThinkTank participants has been an inspiration; I have come away with a new sense of what is possible for my own teaching.    

Fellowship winner Selena Kimball, Hunter College

I recommend ThinkTank to our newly hired faculty members. I believe it provides them with resources to establish a solid framework for foundations pedagogy.

Kitty Kingston, Chair, Art Department, University of Wisconsin Colleges

Hearing the insights of young professionals keeps me current and provides fresh insights.  Helping them think through ideas is stimulating and satisfying.

Kristie Bruzenak, Savannah College of Art and Design

I have walked away with insights, strategies, and examples that will enable me to integrate and implement innovative approaches within my own Foundations teaching practice.  Since my return home, I find I am continually raving about what a terrifically unique experience each ThinkTank offers! TT 3 Fellowship winner, Dawn Hunter, University of South Carolina

As someone heading out into a job market highlighted with of hiring freezes, and budget cuts, I really appreciated the renewed confidence I received being amongst this unique group of educators.            

Stacy Isenbarger, 2009 Fellowship Winner

It is an unbelievable resource that has the potential to greatly impact foundation programs and young teachers. Kip Bradley, Armstrong State University

The experience was really a wonderful one, and I so enjoyed meeting the other think tankers … and spending the time sharing, learning, and brainstorming about art teaching. You’d think as teachers we would do that lots, but sometimes it becomes just a silent conversation within ourselves in the midst of many other pressing activities. Thanks much to you and all the team for inviting me as a fellow. I look forward to staying in touch with you and the other fine people I’ve met!                        Fellowship winner Michelle Illuminato, Alfred University

What people are saying about ThinkTank3:TT3

Think Tank III was an amazing experience and so incredibly helpful. If I could sum it up in one word it would be "Tangible." The entire experience provides me and my peers with tangible, useful, practical, straightforward and comprehensive tools to use in our teaching. What I found most helpful were the small group discussions and the "class room workshops."

Fellowship Winner Tom Ferrero, MFA, Indiana University

I can't tell you how much TT3 helped me in regards to our program at WVU. I have already called a meeting of our Foundations instructors to discuss and begin implementing things that I picked up while in Chicago.

Fellowship Winner Jason Lee, Assistant Professor, Sculpture Department

I took away great insights into what my peers are up to and what's going on in foundations programs around the US.  The experience was invaluable and the time in Chicago was memorable!  I'll look forward to crossing paths with you and the other TTankers in the years to come.

Hope Ginsburg, Assistant Professor, Art Foundations  

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

What you have created with Think Tank is awe inspiring and awesome.  You said one morning in a breakout session that a strong Foundation program will bubble up and influence and create stronger upper division programs--I BELIEVE that Think Tank will bubble up and make stronger art programs across the country.  

 Fellowship winner Dawn Hunter, Foundations Coordinator, University of South Carolina

I would like to say what a wonderful experience the whole Chicago ThinkTank was. I left with a changed perception on what a powerful force open sharing and heart full interaction makes. . The positive feedback and the people I had a chance to meet is inspiring, the amount of positive energy you produced through one weekend I could have never expected.

David McLeish, MFA Sculpture, Florida State University

I can't tell you what a fantastic learning experience it has been to partake in the conference.  I am walking away so completely inspired and excited to re-visit/re-write/re-work and re-interpret my past syllabi/curriculum and now to finally have the tools and examples to begin to implement those changes! These few days have deeply impacted my entire sense of myself and my role as both a student and emerging educator--I'm still wrapping my head around all that I have gathered.

Erin Obradovich, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

I cannot thank you enough for including me in Think Tank 3.  It was such a valuable experience, and I am already including much I learned in my own offerings for k-12 professional development as well as plans for teaching my BFA students in the fall.

Brooke Hunter-Lombardi

Columbus College of Art & Design, Educator Outreach Coordinator

I just spoke to MFA candidate Caleb Taylor about the Think Tank--he loved it, learned a

lot and is ready to sit down with me and update our curriculum!

Professor Sara Mast, Foundations Coordinator, Montana State University

As an aspiring educator I think that I was also one of the people who benefited the most from interacting with those a step ahead of me as well as the more experienced educators. During our group discussions, there were several topics raised that I would not previously have considered as issues in our field. Since this is a new direction for Think Tank, I especially wanted to extend my appreciation and let you know that I think what you are doing is really important.                        

 Fellowship winner, Magda Gluzek, MFA Ceramics, University of Florida

Thank you for this tremendous experience!

Fellowship winner, Shannan Hayes, University of New York, Stony Brook

What people are saying about ThinkTank2:TT2

“TT2 was really great and inspiring - thanks again for allowing me to participate. You have certainly gathered around you a great cast of characters. Count me in for TT3!”

Rusty Smith, Head of First Year Program, School of Architecture, Auburn University

Congratulations to you and Mary for organizing such a productive and well received event.  I think we had a great exchange of ideas. I'm looking forward to working with Tim to see what we can work into our Foundations program.

Dr. Melody Milbrandt, NAEA Higher Education Committee Chair

I enjoyed meeting and sharing with so many fascinating colleagues. It was my first such conference and I am still digesting everything that was covered. The issues addressed at Think Tank are issues for which I have felt a definite need at my college and especially in my department. It was great to see these difficult topics addressed in both theoretical and practical ways. I have already shared some of this with my colleagues.

John DiMino, Chair, Art Department, Darton College

ThinkTank augurs well for the future of the teaching of art in Higher Education. It confirmed that the future of the Art & Design School/Academy needs to be seen to and discussed solidly. ThinkTank has done this in a very serious and responsible manner. It is not a coincidence that the discussion comes at a very apt time when finally Heads and Presidents of Art schools are starting to make noises about the future of the art school in journals like Art in America. I feel very privileged to have been invited to work with you all and I want to thank you and tell you that I look forward to continue to do so. I am also very grateful for UGA Art School's hospitality and collegiality and especially Professor Georgia Strange's generous support. “

John Baldacchino B.Ed (Hons), MA, PhD.

Associate Professor of Art and Art Education, Teachers College Columbia University