Community Arts Partner

Teaching Approach

Teaching Philosophy + Approach

Gage designs every class to be a productive, enjoyable and successful experience for the individual. Not all students will walk away wanting to become artists, but through the process of creating and expressing themselves, they build self-esteem, make friends, explore their imaginations, all while building the kinds of habits of mind they'll need to be successful in life: discipline, good listening, good judgement, compassion/empathy, resource management, team building, problem solving, and patience. Gage classes are grounded in the idea that basic training in observational seeing, art technique, use of materials, and application is the foundation of competence, but the confidence comes from expression and execution of a personal idea. Teaching artists seek to inspire students and use art-making in ways that amplify student classroom learning. They set realistic goals and select activities aimed at those fulfillment of those goals. Students get adequate support and structure, both group and personal, so they can truly accomplish their best. The goals vary by age group, but always strive to make “real-world” connections,  giving students practical tools for art production, build foundations for creative thinking processes, and make an authentic, magnifying, meaningful connection to their classroom curriculum.

Curriculum Integration Possibilities

All Ages: Math: Early Concepts: Time, Multiplication, Groupings, Reasoning, Logic, Algebra, Geometry, Formulas, Science: Chemistry, Biology, Physiology, Conservation, Anthropology Language Arts, Creative Writing, Poetry, Historical Literature, Non-English Language Studies Social Issues, Cultural Values, Political Science, History - World, American, Ethnic, Current Affairs

Special Skills and Areas of Expertise

Gage has a great team of instructors who offer art teaching to teachers, from philosophy and curriculum to lesson plans, strategies, and best practices. Mural making or site-specific group art projects Gage has strong experience with 13 - 18 year old teens, through its free TAS program, which includes high proportion of low income, homeless and LGBTQ youth Field Trips to local arts sites: Olympic SculpturePark, working studios, Seattle Art Museum, Northwest African American Museum, or Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Testimonials from Schools

Willow Heath                    

 903 Bellevue PL E, Apt 306, Seattle WA 98102                     

206.265.9163      

Iole Alessandrini              

 3740 SW MONROE STREET SEATTLE WA 98126                    

206.399.7870      ialessandrini@gmail.com

Nate Herth                        

 325 NW 50th ST Seattle WA 98107                                           

206.669.0493      planetherth@gmail.com