Helping Kentucky teachers inspire the next generation of artists

Where do teachers get their next big ideas for the classroom? For arts educators, it can come from conversations with artists, visits to a gallery or encounters with art that changes how they see the world. Making those connections happen fosters innovation in education.

That possibility is at the heart of the inaugural BLINK Kentucky Educator’s Summit. Working with MeetNKY and Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts (SOTA), ArtsWave brought high school art teachers to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for two days of discovery during BLINK, illuminated by ArtsWave.

Planting the seeds

As ArtsWave celebrates its centennial in 2027, it aims to set new ideas in motion for the next century. Investing in educators is one way to plant those seeds, helping teachers connect young people with opportunities that can make a creative future feel within reach.

“We want students across Kentucky to see an exciting, viable future for themselves in the arts,” said Matthew Albritton, Director of NKU School of the Arts. “That starts with giving their teachers opportunities to learn, exchange ideas and build relationships with our region’s artists and cultural organizations.”

Held October 8-9, the summit welcomed at least 15 educators representing 11 schools and communities. At SOTA, teachers connected with faculty and students and learned about the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. They explored The Carnegie’s galleries and educational spaces, then visited Cincinnati Art Museum’s exhibition, “Yayoi Kusama: All the Eternal Love I Have for Pumpkins.”

A Q&A with BLINK artist Gera1 offered another perspective before educators headed out to experience the festival. Together, those encounters gave teachers new connections to draw on as they help students explore their own interests and possibilities.

“BLINK can open someone’s eyes to what art makes possible,” said Leslie Mooney, Executive Director of BLINK. “When teachers take that inspiration back to their classrooms, they can help students see their own potential as artists and creative thinkers. That is an investment whose impact can grow long after the festival lights go out.”

Seeing them sprout

The first signs of connection are encouraging. Every respondent to a post-summit survey said they felt more connected to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, and every respondent was more likely to share information about the region with friends and family.

Those relationships are a starting point. As ArtsWave looks ahead, we want more students to discover that the arts can be part of their lives and their futures. Helping a teacher find fresh inspiration today is one way to begin.

The summit was made possible through collaboration with BLINK, MeetNKY, NKU SOTA, The Carnegie, Cincinnati Art Museum, Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter, Thomas More University and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). MeetNKY and Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter sponsored lodging for participating educators.