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At TICA, the idea is radical, and deceptively simple. For art teachers to become better art teachers, TICA posits that they need to return to their own creative practice-a practice that may be rusty, messy, and anxious-yet nonetheless, joyous.
The program has three parts. The first and most important is a week in the studios of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, under the direction of an accomplished artist-instructor. A live model poses while TICA participants work on canvas with oils, and sketch in between projects. An extra week is possible for the teachers to stay and continue applying what they have learned to their own studio practice.
The second part is the visiting artist program. Visiting contemporary artists, including such renowned and respected figures as Paul Pfeiffer and Fred Wilson, Pepon Osorio and Sam Durant, Barry McGee and Tim Rollins filter in throughout the week. These artists are brought in just for the teachers, to challenge their thinking, to expand their creative thought processes with presentations of their work.
The third part of TICA comprises visits to the galleries in the Art Institute of Chicago. During these visits you will find the teachers looking at masterpieces in the galleries together with the Metropolitan Museum of Art museum educator, Rika Burnham. The study of great and original works of art asks the teachers to return to their own experience and discovery. Thus they can rethink the foundations of art in order to move forward. Original works of art are at the creative core: making, discussing, studying. Felipe Reyes from Harlandale High School in San Antonio, Texas, sums up the three parts of TICA when he says, "It's all about inspection, rumination, introspection, creation-and then, transformation!"
TICA was founded by Phil Baranowski; a former art teacher. Out of the conviction that the arts could be supported by a return to the teacher's creative core came his dream that he himself could contribute, and make a difference. In January 2000, he applied for a grant from the NEA. He received funds for a pilot program, and his funding was increased the following year, and increased again the year after that. Baranowski's program was changing the landscape of American art education.
"If you, the art teacher, are making art, doesn't it make sense that your practice will inspire more art in the classroom?" Baranowski asks his TICA students. "The future of the arts in this country relies on it. No matter where you live, where you teach, tomorrow's influential artist or educator is in your classroom. Here and now is your opportunity to become fully engaged with the art and artists of our time!"
Questions? Email us at tica@saic.edu.
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