Last date for nomination: August 20, 2025
Note: Nominations will be reviewed only after the last date of nomination (Aug 20). We will reach out to you after the review process.
About This Course
Course Objectives
EdSparks Collective is a one-of-a-kind professional development program for all those interested in exploring the full potential of the visual arts to transform student learning. Specialization tracks will allow participants to delve deeply into areas such as supporting the development of 21st century learning and SEL skills, enriching library education goals, and an approach to teaching through art where other subject knowledge is applied and strengthened in an art class. This includes catering to the foundational learning needs of early childhood. The specialization tracks will enable each participant to integrate art into their educational practice and contribute to reaching the educational goals they endeavour for the children they serve. Each session is conducted in a hands-on and interactive manner. The program’s pedagogy utilizes a variety of multimodal strategies. These try to maximize engagement and understanding on how to design and implement enriching educational interventions, which utilize the visual arts to support student growth and development.Course Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will increase their comprehension of the value and impact of the arts in education. This means acknowledging the importance of art for children's growth and development and the role that consistent art-making plays in the development of critical thinking abilities, skills and attitudes. Through the program, participants will be able to create and carry out comprehensive art-based interventions, which are tailored to the specific needs of the children they work with. Understanding what this rich learning looks like, how to create meaningful learning experiences, and how to effectively assist children through the learning process are all necessary to be able to tap into the rich learning embedded in art experiences. As a result, participants will be able to grasp innovative teaching and learning practices and integrate them in their spaces in varied domains.Pre-requisites
The program is open to members of the leadership team or the program team of NGOs, curriculum and/or instruction specialists, educators, teachers, teacher developers involved with children, who are flexible and enthusiastic about trying new things.It would add great value, if one person who is the decision-maker at the program level and one person from the implementation team can participate. This will help them to be able to make the necessary changes for the application of the knowledge gained, after the workshop.
Langauge Requirements: English/Hindi
Expected Commitment
Six (6) hours per session (10 full-day sessions, 60 hours): Individualized plans will be made for each participant to implement the Action Learning Project based on their current needs, goals and time constraintsCourse Details
The program consists of (3) phases:Phase 1 – Foundational course: The program begins in-person and at one location. This allows for participants to immerse themselves into the learning experience that strengthens and solidifies their practice, conviction, and confidence in art education.
Phase 2 – Action learning project: EdSparks participants get a chance to put the program's learning into practice, assess the results in the field, and gather data on the effects the arts have on children’s learning, development and growth.
Phase 3 – Specialization tracks: The program's third phase takes on a triple-track approach that includes art integration, library education, and 21st century learning and SEL skills. Participants are able to delve deeply into their primary focus areas and begin visualizing actual implementation strategies based on their objectives for the children they serve by means of the specialization tracks.
| Phases | Module | Activity/No of hours | Mode of Delivery | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 (Nov 3-8, 2025) |
Exploring learning styles | 6 hours | In-person | Bengaluru |
| Art and children’s development | 6 hours | In-person | Bengaluru | |
| Exploring materials and themes #1 | 6 hours | In-person | Bengaluru | |
| Exploring materials and themes #2 | 6 hours | In-person | Bengaluru | |
| Assessment in the arts | 6 hours | In-person | Bengaluru | |
| Designing curriculum in the arts | 6 hours | In-person | Bengaluru | |
| Phase 2 (Nov 2025 and Jan 2026) |
Action learning project | 2-7 hours (2 to 6 sessions, 1 hour each – participants can choose the no. of sessions) | In-person | Within participants’ own organizations /spaces/sites |
| Phase 3 | Track #1 – 21st century learning and SEL skills (Jan 20-22, 2026) |
6 hours per session (3 full-day sessions, 18 hours) | Virtual via Zoom | Within participants’ own organizations /spaces/sites |
| Track #2 – Library education (Jan 27-29, 2026) |
6 hours per session (3 full-day sessions, 18 hours) | Virtual via Zoom | Within participants’ own organizations /spaces/sites | |
| Track #3 – Art integration: teaching through art (including ECE) (Feb 3-5, 2026) |
6 hours per session (3 full-day sessions, 18 hours) | Virtual via Zoom | Within participants’ own organizations /spaces/sites |
About The Resource Organization
ArtSparks Foundation is an educational nonprofit that works to support the development of 21st century learning and life skills in children through the medium of visual art and design. ArtSparks also supports the professional development of teachers and educators, encouraging them to reflect on their teaching practice, and explore new ways to enrich their students’ learning.Website: https://www.art-sparks.org/
Facilitators
Nisha Nair
Nisha Nair is an educator, education researcher, and designer who is committed to elevating the position of art and design as mediums for pedagogy and transformation. Her nearly two-decade tenure in education, both in the US and in India, has involved advancing the role of visual art and design in developing the whole child, building more inclusive learning environments, promoting the development of 21st century learning and life skills, and investing in the transformative development of teachers. It is these experiences and passions that led her to start ArtSparks Foundation. Furthermore, Nisha teaches courses in art and community engagement at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the author of “Art Sparks: Ideas. Methods. Process.” published by Tara Books. Nisha is currently a doctoral fellow pursuing scholarly research with a focus on creative practice, transformative learning, and teacher education. Prior to her work in education, Nisha spent eight years as a multi-award-winning designer, meeting the branding and design needs of diverse clients from the Smithsonian Institutions to NASA, and more.
Anuradha Parthasarathy
Anuradha Parthasarathy is an art educator committed to advocating for the arts. Anu worked for several years, both in India and the US, in different capacities: conducting art classes for children within her local community; working with schools, teachers and administrators to usher innovative practices in teaching and learning; serving as a product designer; setting up and running, as director and partner, a business to support traditional craft practices in India; and working as a web designer and developer in the US. She herself is an avid painter and photographer.
Saagarika Chatterji
Saagarika Chatterji has been an art educator and a social worker for the past 10 years with experience in art education, life skills facilitation, program management, curriculum development and engaging with teachers and educators in capacity building workshops. She did her BA in Psychology and MSW in Human Resource Development and Management from Christ University, Bengaluru. She has experience in community and stakeholder engagement, and in working with and for children and young adults in the development sector. Saagarika has an in-depth understanding of the needs and challenges in these fields. She is committed to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with current research and best practices in education.
Testimonials
Rohan, Parag“The patience and participation with which each session of this workshop was conducted gave me the opportunity to open some layers of the process of facilitation. Every aspect of the process we were experiencing in this workshop was designed very thoughtfully. We also got to experience the kind of magic that can happen by following the process. People from different institutions, with their own understanding of art, can come together and do such amazing things and have such interesting discussions on the processes. It is a safe space to learn and unlearn.”
Surya, PRAYOG
“First, I did not see any thinking process in art. This art-based methodology that we learn in EdSparks pushes you to think. Keeping art as the centre, I can see a lot of possibilities in the work we do in education.”
