With art class often an overlooked subject in the school curriculum, it can be tough to determine a budget and what’s essential to buy. What purchases can you make that are worthwhile for students to express themselves? Take the following into consideration as you plan purchases for all your projects, whether for a general classroom curriculum, special holiday projects, or any creative assignment:
What art supplies are easy and safe to use?
There are a lot of kinds of art supplies that are great to use for any classroom situation. Of course, stick to non-toxic materials for your earliest learners. Look for the seals from the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) that indicate an approved product (AP), which is non-toxic and safe to use, versus a caution label (CL) that is not appropriate for use by children. If you’re looking to paint, watercolor works best for its non-toxicity and ease of clean-up. Acrylics can also work for a richer pigment for your project and quick drying capabilities, but avoiding that type of paint for toddler use would be best. Usually, non-toxic art supplies are designed with children in mind regarding use and clean-up, so look for that phrasing to determine what to use for your next project.
What art supplies can last for a long time?
Any art supply you’re looking to buy can last for a while, given proper storage. As long as the container is appropriately sealed, stored in a cool, dry place, and not diluted with foreign substances, you should be able to use the supplies for a long time. If the container doesn’t seal properly, use plastic cling wrap or a new container for an air-tight seal. Paint or clay drying out or developing mold are two common issues with older art materials, so take proper care to avoid this by drying the container first if it has standing water or stirring the substance occasionally if not in use. If you ever notice a strong odor from your supplies, discard those immediately.
What are art projects that can spark life in your classroom?
Beyond traditional paint, consider other art supplies to expose your students to new styles. To learn about light and shading (and what the numbers on a pencil mean), try getting some artist pencils. If you want to try art in a 3D space, get some dough or clay to try sculpting. You can get even more creative by incorporating pastels, felt, crafting/folding paper, weaving, and more, so try out a variety of projects to get the most out of your students’ learning experiences.
If you’re looking for ideas, Sax and School Specialty have various free art lesson plans you can try on their website. They feature over 300 templates using unique materials and designs, so be sure to check out their website if you’re looking for inspiration.
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Art certainly has its place in the learning curriculum, as it excites the kinesthetic learning style and encourages creativity. Work together with your teachers across your school or district to determine what supplies can work best for all, and use it to be conscientious of your budget and explore new experiences for your students.
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Blick art materials
BLICK Art Materials supports artists at all stages of their artistic journey. As a leading art supply company, they provide artists, educators, students, and our associates with the tools, assistance, and training needed to grow, innovate, and reach their creative potential. BLICK Art Materials is family-owned and has been serving artists since 1911.
Nasco Education
Nasco Education offers engaging, hands-on materials, curriculum, and professional development for kindergarten to 12th grade. And when a solution doesn’t exist, they create it. Their experts work hand-in-hand with teachers to develop innovative solutions for the classroom. Helping you set students up for success in school and beyond is what they do best.
Sax
Inspire the artist in every student with our comprehensive line of affordable, high-quality arts and craft supplies from Sax products. From construction paper and colored pencils, to paint and canvas, School Specialty and Sax provide everything you need to spark creative learning.
Really Good Stuff
Really Good Stuff offers a wide range of supplemental curriculum materials, including instructional and teaching aids, aligned to state standards, for early childhood, elementary, intermediate, and middle grades. Products include ELA, ESL, ELL, Literacy, Math, Science, SEL, STEM, and Dual Language, along with organizational and classroom management tools.