As the school year starts to wind down, now is a good time to consider your summer plans. I hope they involve a deck and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc but if your mind is wandering towards earning some extra money, this episode is for you.
I want to give you permission to finally say YES to your dreams of hosting a summer camp, starting your own studio or paint party class. Whatever it is, operating a small, part-time business that features your talents can be the most rewarding thing you’ve ever done.
This is not a checklist of how-to items: this is your call to action. To dig deep and figure out why you want to teach kids art in your off hours and why now is your time.
Ready to dive in?
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- How anyone can start a business with the right motivation!
- Why you shouldn’t give your stuff away for free and how even getting paid minimally for your work gives you the capacity to do more
- What is beta testing and how it works
- Why you should always consider what fills you up and gives you energy
- How to promote your camp without spending money
- Why setting expectations is the most important thing that you can do
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
My best advice for teaching art to kids.
As the school year starts to wind down, now is a good time to consider your summer plans. I hope they involve a deck and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc but if your mind is wandering towards earning some extra money, this episode is for you.
I want to give you permission to finally say YES to your dreams of hosting a summer camp, starting your own studio or paint party class. Whatever it is, operating a small, part-time business that features your talents can be the most rewarding thing you’ve ever done.
This is not a checklist of how-to items: this is your call to action. To dig deep and figure out why you want to teach kids art in your off hours and why now is your time.
Ready to dive in?
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
How anyone can start a business with the right motivation!
Why you shouldn’t give your stuff away for free and how even getting paid minimally for your work gives you the capacity to do more
What is beta testing and how it works
Why you should always consider what fills you up and gives you energy
How to promote your camp without spending money
Why setting expectations is the most important thing that you can do
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
DOWNLOAD YOUR SUMMER CAMP ART GUIDE
SHOW NOTES:
Episode 018: Host Your Own Art Workshop
Episode 002: Painting Parties and Overcoming Obstacles with Heidi Easley
Episode 039: Success Secrets of a Process Based Art Studio with Meri Cherry
https://www.creativebug.com/
DOWNLOAD YOUR SUMMER CAMP ART GUIDE
SHOW NOTES:
Episode 018: Host Your Own Art Workshop
Episode 002: Painting Parties and Overcoming Obstacles with Heidi Easley
Episode 039: Success Secrets of a Process Based Art Studio with Meri Cherry
My best advice for teaching art to kids.
Yes, the day has come!
After a long time deciding if, I finally said when.
Thank you SO much for your encouragement, show suggestions and help getting Art Made Easy off the ground.
Many of you were so pumped about this show but confessed that you had no idea what a podcast was. I love you guys for your unbridled enthusiasm.
Here’s a quick definition of a podcast & what to expect from Art Made Easy:
A podcast is a free radio show. The host (me!) interviews guests or talks about a favorite subject. You get to listen through your computer, laptop or smart phone. I like to listen to my favorite podcasts in my car during long travel days or on my walks via set of ear buds and my iPhone.
You can subscribe to the show via iTunes and Stitcher radio. The benefit is that your free podcast ap on your iPhone will automatically be updated with all the podcast episodes from any show you subscribe to.
Go ahead and give it a try!
To listen on your laptop or computer, just click the play button in the colored box below.
To listen via iTunes, click on the “play in iTunes” banner and click subscribe.
And now onto the show…
For my first show, I wanted to tell you my story of how I became an art teacher. We all have different paths and this one is mine. I’ll share advice to those who are just starting out as an art teacher and some of my best tips for teaching art to kids.
This episode is for anyone who thinks they may not have the qualifications to be an art teacher. Teaching art to kids doesn’t have to happen inside a classroom. You can teach art at home, at a summer camp and even as a volunteer (like I did).
If you are an art teacher just beginning your journey, I’m sharing my best advice to get you through that tough first year. Download my free handout and keep it in your teacher planner and refer to it when you have a tough day.
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
SHOW NOTES:
Drawing With Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too
Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages (Lab Series)
National Art Convention
CreativeLive- free online classes
Art Teachers Facebook Group
Website: Painted Paper in the Art Room (Laura Lohmann)
Website: Art of Education
Book: Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers
PS – Please leave a review on iTunes!
Art Made Easy is now live on iTunes! Subscribing to the show and leaving an honest review really helps the show gain visibility and allows me to tailor the show to your needs.
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Hi Patty,
Once again thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us! It always helps me to reflect on where I am at. I started my very small art studio about two years ago on a very part time basis while I was home with my son after teaching preschool for many years. I now cover all my rent, all the supplies, my deep space sparkle membership and some more. My three classes a week generally fill up now. So I see about 20 kids a week.
Once my son starts Kindergarten this summer I will be able to offer more classes and grow my studio.
I agree with you on setting expectations. This might be one of the hardest but also most beneficial things you can do for your business.
Thanks for making reflect on how far I have come 🙂
Heike
You are so welcome, Heike. And I love hearing your story. You need to be on the show! I’ll have Shannon reach out to you. 🙂
I’m glad you put this out there. Here’s my story: I started a camp 15 years ago almost exactly the way you described: 1st summer a few kids in my house. I think I charged $25 for the week but I gave them a supply list and then I made a deal with the local Hobby Lobby manager to give the students a small discount. I think I taught 2 – 4 at a time and taught maybe 12 – 15 kids that summer. The next year, I moved to my church and now I have between 56 and 70 students each summer (depending on if I want to teach 4 or 5 sessions) and I always have a waiting list. If I don’t have my summer camp information available by March 1, the moms find me!!
I started the camp with only one college art class under my belt (I have a BS in Finance and originally worked as a Banker!). I was a fairly young mom with 2 children at the time. The neighboring school district was undergoing huge budget cuts and the art program was being cut in half. Art classes were being cut from 1x/week to maybe 2x/month. I was always involved in the arts, just not educated in the arts. I decided that ANY art was better than NO art so I jumped in and offered a camp to my friends’ kids who lived in that district. It was an immediate success.
Parents are LOOKING for quality art camps. The camp has grown by word of mouth and publicity at the church where it’s held. I don’t do any advertising on my own. And I always have past campers working as helpers so my camper : staff ratio is very low. LMK if you want any specific information on camp structure etc. I think I have it pretty well defined after this many years! The cherry on top? Now I have a part-time position teaching art at a private school 2 days a week and I love it.
I love your podcasts! This one is so timely, my art camps are June 5-8; mornings are K-2; afternoons are grades 3-5 and June 19-22 is grades 6-8. 15 kids each session. Thank you so much for your inspiration and guidance. I never would have attempted art classes this year until I found Deep Space Sparkle!
That just makes my day! We are so much more capable than what we think…rock on with your art camp!
Patty,
Thank you so much for calling me a friend on your episode! I remember when I contacted you for an interview… I felt like I had won the lottery when you said yes! I have always loved Deep Space Sparkle and felt like you were holding my hand as I taught art to kids! Thanks again for all you do! You deserve ALL the success in the world!
Heidi Easley
Of course you’re my friend, Heidi! You are the best. I love what you have built and can’t wait to see all the amazing things ahead of you. xo
You are such an inspiration! I hosted a fun spring break art camp and am now planning my first set of summer art camps! This was such a perfectly timed podcast. Thank you!!!
Patty,
Thank you for this podcast and the earlier ones you referred to. I’m a “new” Sparkler but have been a huge fan for several years.
I’m a retired art therapist , but now teach art to my young nieces. Your encouraging words and resources have given me confidence to host summer art camps this year.
I’m new on your website and hope to connect to other independent art teachers to share our experiences.
You’re very encouraging and generous with sharing your wisdom and fantastic resources.
Thanks Christine! So happy you are doing what you love. Make sure to join the Sparkler Facebook group if you haven’t already. There are many art studio owners on board!