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Educational Philosophy

At Hungry Hill we believe evidence-based teaching practices allow our instructors to reach each student at their personal level of artistic experience and skill development.  All classes and workshops are designed using the concepts put forth in Discipline-Based Art Instruction, an approach to teaching art based on the four basic art disciplines:​

  1. Art Production: Skills, tool use, and methods to make art

  2. Art Criticism: Responding to and evaluating a work of art

  3. Art History: Learning from the past to support development as an artist

  4. Aesthetics: Understanding why we like what we like. 

Our goal is to provide a foundation of both skill and knowledge to encourage inner creativity and personal growth.

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Education

Educational Commitments

  • Our classes, workshops, and individualized lessons will be open to anyone in the community.

  • Programs may be developed for specific needs or demographics of students, i.e. senior citizens, veterans, young children, and persons with disabilities.

  • Under 18 – Classes will be divided by age/skill level for appropriate instruction and tool use based on best classroom practices.

  • 18 and Over – Classes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and without exclusion for anything other than age. 

  • Age Exception – Underage students may be allowed in a class that doesn’t have an Under 18 equivalent if a parent/guardian takes the class with the minor. 

Artists as Instructors 

Most of our instructors are artists first and many have never been instructors or teachers in a public setting. Knowing this, Hungry Hill is founded on the following teaching principles:

 

  1. Anyone wishing to teach is provided training in how to teach and specifically how to teach art using Disciplined Based Art Instruction.

  2. Program/Workshop development includes the creation of a course plan or syllabus to establish student expectations and outline the progression of skill development. 

  3. Teachers spend some time as studio technicians supporting other classes to learn a variety of student engagement methods while providing support to the other instructors.

  4. There will always be at least two adult instructors/studio techs in any Under 18 class unless the teacher holds a Montana State Teaching Certificate.

  5. Open invitation to any member who wants to become an instructor with continuing support and education available for anyone who is teaching.

  6. Instructors will be paid for their time. 

  7. Any complaints by students will be addressed by the executive director but may also be brought to the board of directors.

"Art education is not just for creating artists. It's about creating thinkers"
-Unknown

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