Mar 19, 2012

Professional Bucket List

Have you thought about what might be on your professional bucket list?

First of all, what is a professional bucket list? I want you to think about those things you want to do, dreams, if you will, that relate to the profession of art education. I am not talking about an award, or recognition or finally retiring (ha), I mean trips or experiences you would like to have to help you become a better teacher or spark an interest in art, history, culture, education or the like… Things you maybe heard about or teach about, and would love to do.

I’d love to hear your Professional Bucket List- Sharing these just might inspire all of us to get out there and visit, learn, and fulfill some of those professional dreams.

Ok- no laughing- I’ll go first!

Vacationing? Mix business with pleasure and visit that art museum, or plan a trip just around that.

Want to talk to an expert about something in your classroom or finally meet a famous artist you admire? Go ahead and friend them on twitter- You just never know if they will respond.

Go ahead and post your professional bucket list in the comments section below!

Because we gotta dream, right?

Sburton

I love this post! Thanks for the inspiration as always:)
One on my list: write an art book.
Cathy

Gosh….my bucket list is long!!! But will only include a couple of items on here…..no one wants to “read” too much of my ramblings!

1. When we go to Italy in a couple of years, soak in as much famous artist ‘stuff’ as I can (not only the art in the museums, but the same streets they walked, their birthplaces, etc.)

2. Illustrate a children’s book

3. Create more of my own personal artwork

4. Attend the NAEA Convention at least once!

5. Become Nationally Board certified.

6. Spend 3 months in the Rocky Mountains as an artist-in-residence.
http://www.dolvinartknight.blogspot.com/ Knighth

write/illustrate a children’s book. i think this is one we all dream about. also, i’ve never been to NYC, so i want to hit all the museums there.
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  Hope- seems like so many of us want to write a children’s book- how cool! I also have an idea for one but don’t want to illustrate it. Isn’t that funny?
Erica Stinziani

See you at the conference;) I’m thinking of going every year it is in NY (once every 4 years) whether I’m teaching or not!

Take more time to look at light both through painting and photography, go to to a few photography workshops I’ve been eyeing, take fine art classes at Anderson Ranch in the summer while Stella takes children’s art classes there and my husband fishes with the dog in the nearby rivers (amazing family professional development), dig my children’s book of the basement, edit it one more time and maybe actually share it with someone.
Erica Stinziani

I really don’t like how it puts in my full name when I’m replying through google! It’s so strange! I don’t know how to delete it. I’ll repost under my first name! Thanks Jessica.
Rebecca

This is a great idea because I have never heard of the NAEA Convention. I just Googled it AWESOME! It sounds incredible. I have just written to my boss and asked if I can go to the next one. Thanks so much.

My goal is to find more PD courses like NAEC (world-wide.)
Participate in more hands on courses or workshops worldwide ie Greece/ Italy/Bali….
Continue my own painting.
Open my own art school.
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  You will Love NAEA!! Also look into your state conferences, too!!
  
  Jessica Balsley
  - Rebecca
    
    I am an International teacher from Australia working in Ghana. Often the International schools are American schools or follow the IB curriculum. Is this conference still suitable for me? My boss has approved it but i am double checking before they buy my ticket. :)
Linda

I love the idea of a professional bucket list! If you don’t mind, I would like to use it with our elementary art staff at our next district meeting. In the meantime, I thinking of all of the things I want to put on my own list…
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  Linda,
  Great idea to use it with your art staff- I think I will use it with ours, too. Don’t you just love sharing ideas? Be sure to tell them our summer classes are coming up :) More great art PD! Thanks!
Claracrosby

Attend the conference in Texas and visit as many local Indiana artists as possible(living and not)
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  Clara- We have to meet up in Texas!
Colleen

I love your idea! OK, here goes:

1. PARIS!!! …and all that goes with it. Louvre for sure, but need to experience culture, hear the language, stare at the Eiffel Tower, enjoy the fashion, etc!

2. Florence! Ohhh, to be in a place where Michelangelo and da Vinci stood — and to see the ART!

3. Write a book & illustrate it. Probably a children’s book. Hopefully within 5 years.

4. Produce enough work for a show.

5. New York — see MoMA!

Thanks for asking a very great question that allows us to remember many reasons why we love our jobs and the hopes and goals we have. :)

Colleen Rose
Eukent

* Biggest thing on my bucket list was to teach art, whcih I wanted to do for 40 years since I was 8!!!! And yes, I get to check that one off this year for the first time! Yeah me!!! Dreams come true!
* Visit Monet’s Garden. I screwed up… 15 years ago I actually WON an all expense paid trip to Paris by signing up at the grocery store. Had the pleasure of visiting the Louve, but didn’t realized Giverny was so close and could have went by train. Guess I will have to go back!
* Meet Peter Max and buy a Peter Max painting (obviously I will have to win the lottery to afford it)
*Organize the first ever school art show in our district… this will be checked off next month. :)
*Sell my own artwork. I have never attempted to do this, but would like to someday.
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  That is so cool your bucket list is to teach art and now you are teaching it. So amazing!
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amy

I live about 30 minutes from Fallingwater, it is a must see. Kentuck Knob is on my list for this summer – I’ve never been there and it is only 10 minutes farther. I always have a summer list of things to do, but now I’ve got to make my art teacher bucket list, I love that idea. If you get to Fallingwater sometime, you also need to check out Touchstone Center for Crafts, it is also very close and is an amazing, relaxing place to create art.
- http://www.theartofed.com/ Jessica Balsley
  
  Oh- Thanks for the tips- I can’t wait to go someday!
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