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Customised Visual Art PD for ECE & Primary Teachers

Our customised, interactive courses for primary and ECE teachers explore ways to teach visual arts learning experiences with an emphasis on creative thinking and the creative process.
“Imagination is the source of every form of human achievement. And it's the one thing that I believe we are systematically jeopardizing in the way we educate our children and ourselves.” 
― Sir Ken Robinson

Hands on Learning

Learning the Creative Process through direct experience

Building Skills

Building skills through experimentation that honours your uniqueness

Exploring Strategies

Strategies for Planning & Practicalities to make implementation easy

Collaborative & Fun

Expanding your ideas through rich group discussions
“Creativity is as important now in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.” 
― Sir Ken Robinson
​There is a buzz in the room. The kind of buzz teachers recognise as golden moments of learning - children learning about themselves through visual art. It’s a delicious mix of empowerment and experimentation as children experience and ‘own’ their unique creative perspective.

They feel emotionally safe to think creatively and have the practical skills to express themselves. Teachers live for these moments. Did it happen by chance or by design? Definitely by design…

​The teacher equipped themselves with the skills they need to create these golden moments by training with Creative Matters. They are guided by the theory and hands-on experience of a rich Creative Process to plan and deliver visual art lessons.
The teacher feels skilled and confident - their students feel valued and proud of their unique work.
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And it’s not just between teacher and student. Children are delighting in showing parents their art projects and enthusiastically sharing the process it took to make it.

​The classroom and foyer is a visual feast – it’s a joy to walk through the ever-changing display of diverse work produced throughout The Creative Process.

Tania McCorkindale, Year 5/6 teacher Helensville Primary School

Denise Arnold, Year 2/3 teacher
​Waerenga School

Riejke Wilson, Special needs teacher
​Wairau Valley Special School
 Experiencing The Creative Process ​
Customised Courses
Our courses for Primary and ECE teachers, share the philosophies we believe in and base our programmes around, here at Creative Matters.

We have developed this training from what we have learnt supporting over 2000 children to explore their Creative Process in various mediums.

Teachers are guided through a rich Creative Process of Exploring, Experimenting, Creating, Reflecting and Sharing - allowing them to personally experience each part of this process and reflect on how it makes them feel and how it affects their approach, thinking, results and learning, giving them the tools and the motivation to take the ideas back to their classroom and implement them.

What you will be able to apply immediately...
  • Ways to quickly and easily set up for and manage painting in your classroom
  • Ideas for art lessons that value and develop every aspect of the Creative Process
  • Skills and techniques in teaching acrylic painting and colour making
  • Ideas for displaying work from each part of the Creative Process, not just the final product.
  • Strategies for scaffolding experimentation and individuality
  • Structuring and timing of lessons​
  • and so much more...​
Thank you Mandy for the wonderful art workshop you ran at our school recently.  The teachers were engaged and highly motivated as evidenced by the  way the majority of our staff utilised all they learnt with you  into their classroom programmes immediately. 

They enjoyed the way you delivered your programme, and also the freedom you gave them to be creative while also learning some basic paint techniques. All were impressed with how the session catered for all levels of expertise.  They are looking forward to having another session with you.
Denise Haven, Deputy Principal, Waitakere Primary School
I gained lots of practical ideas, the system to teach confidence - a fantastic course that gave us all valuable knowledge regardless of the age we teach or previous experience.
Wendy Kerrison, Glenavon School
I feel more like an artist now. So many practical ideas to use in a whole lot of art sessions. A really good base to apply for art lessons. It's not just art - it's self-awareness.
Tania McCorkindale from Helensville School​
We customise courses to suit your needs.
Discuss with Mandy the curriculum links, visual arts skills and/or techniques you would like to focus on and we will customise a 4 hour course for your teachers, with an interactive approach that develops a rich creative process as a way to encourage your students to think creatively.

Some Possibilities to get you Started
​Experiencing the Creative Process Through:
  • Sculpture
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Construction
  • Collaboration
  • Exploration of an artist's work
  • Abstract art​​

3 Learning Options 
Experiencing the Creative Process 

Over 2 staff meetings at your school or centre

Splitting the course over two consecutive sessions of two hours works brilliantly - giving us time to refine the learning to suit your needs, for an even richer learning experience on the second session.

At a Teacher Only Day at your school
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A 4 hour hands-on PD session is a great addition to a Teacher Only Day, encouraging communication and collaboration as well as the learning of new skills and approaches. 

At Studio One Toi Tu in the holidays or on Saturdays

This is a good option if you are seeking individual or small group (discounted) PD rather than school wide, held on Saturdays or mid week during the holidays.