Overview
Creative Minds Out of School is a nationally distributed curriculum designed to help in- and out-of-school time educators strengthen their arts-based, inquiry-based and project-based teaching.
Creative Minds encourages educators to discover new approaches to teaching 21st century skills, English Language Arts and STEM content through Visual Arts Education. Developed for educators and linked to Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks as well as to Common Core Standards, Creative Minds engages children grades K-5 in high quality art exploration and art-making.
To view photos of Creative Minds training and coaching services, visit our Creative Minds Facebook Page.
Today’s children are growing up in a world of increasing complexity, highlighting the need to develop 21st century skills such as creativity/innovation, critical thinking/problem solving, communication, collaboration/teamwork and presentation. Art education allows students to capitalize on their natural curiosity and readiness to learn and prepares them for next generation success.
Mass Cultural Council and Innovation Learning Center have brought Creative Minds to the following organizations to offer students an art experience designed to build confidence in self-expression, support individual growth, create art, experiment and grow:
Accept Education Collaborative
Action for Boston Community Development
Belmont After School Enrichment Collaborative
Beverly Children’s Learning Center, Inc.
Boston Youth Sanctuary
Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL)
Cambridge Community Schools
Cambridge – Summer Employee Training
Chicopee Boys & Girls Club
Child Care of the Berkshires
Citizens for Citizens (Fall River)
City Year
East Boston Social Center
Elliot School of Fine & Applied Arts – School/Community Partners
Fitchburg Public Schools
For Kids Only Afterschool, Inc.
Gladys Allen Brigham Community School
Greater Boston YMCA
Greater Lynn YMCA
Greenfield Community College
Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – 21st CCLC Programs
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – ASOST Grantees
Martin Luther King, Jr Community Center
Nausett Youth Alliance
New Bedford Public Schools – 21st CCLC
North Shore Community College
Preschool Enrichment Team
Quincy Public Schools
Rainbow Child Development & WPS
Salem Public Schools (BELL Summer)
Somerville Public Schools: Somerville Community Schools
Somerville YMCA
Springfield Parks & Recreation
The Art Spot
The Beautiful Stuff Project
Woburn Boys & Girls Club
Zanetti Montessori School – 21st CCLC Program
Curriculum Description
The Creative Minds curriculum is designed to foster each child’s confidence in his or her own creative abilities and respect for the creative abilities of others.
Each of the units of the curriculum sets forth an investigative, exploratory approach to encountering artists’ tools, materials and ways of thinking. Each lesson is developed to be easily used by educators, regardless of their previous art experience. The Creative Minds curriculum is not only aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and the new Common Core Standards, but it also includes fun and innovative STEM and Literacy extension activities. It is designed to go beyond viewing and making art and suggests many opportunities to engage parents and build community within your afterschool program as well.
The Creative Minds Out-of-School program is made possible through a partnership of the Mass Cultural Council, Innovation Learning Center and Davis Publications.
