The trouble with art rooms is that they are rarely designed or set up for the function that they need to serve. More often than not, it is a regular classroom that has been fitted with the necessary fixtures or supplies. However, if you are going to teach children how to explore their creative side, you are going to need the right room to do so. If you are a lucky teacher or other administrator that is being given the opportunity to change up their art room, there are some things to include. Here is a list of the most important changes you should make:
Provide a Larger Canvas
If you have been solely focusing on canvas, paper, and other platforms, it is time to broaden both your horizons as well as your students. Instead of limiting where your students can draw, why not give them a larger surface? This is why you might want to put in one or more stick on whiteboards in this art room. You can then have a box of markers just below the board. Then, you can encourage your students to draw and have some fun. It is also a great idea for a group project. These walls can also be a place for students to try out some of their ideas before they get them down in a more permanent way. Make sure that you provide enough space for a large group of students to work here at once.
Make the Decorating a Project
As the students are the ones that will be inhabiting that room the most, they should be responsible for decorating at as well. You can even turn into a class project. For instance, give your students a theme that you would like them to follow. Then give each student a certain aspect of the classroom that they have to cover. Not only are you promoting their creativity, you are also making sure that their work would be put to good use. It is a good idea to think outside the box. Remember, the walls and similar surfaces are not the only space that you can work with. You also have the ceilings, the floors, doors, and windows to paint on and decorate as well. Cabinet and cupboard doors can be up for grabs as well.
Additional Features
You should have lots of shelves, cupboards, and cabinets in the room where you can store your tools, supplies, and previous artwork and sculptures as well. Make sure that the majority of these areas can be easily reached by students of all ages. This is especially important for the cupboards and shelves where you are storing your supplies. Make sure to have large, height appropriate sinks and other clean up areas as well. This way, students will not have to mess up the school bathrooms. You should also think of other needs that you may have such as a kiln or other art equipment.
If you have the chance to create an art room from scratch, these are some of the ideas that you should include. Your students will definitely appreciate it and they really will be encouraged to use the art room to its full capabilities.
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