Brown Arts Institute

Cultivating Creative Classrooms: A Professional Learning Community for Educators

A new workshop series for experienced and aspiring teaching artists to build community, test lesson plans, and receive support and guidance navigating what it means to be a teaching artist working in Rhode Island.

About the Workshop

Cultivating Creative Classrooms is a professional learning community (PLC) for any current or aspiring K–12 fine and performing arts educators and teachers looking to integrate arts into their curriculum. This workshop focuses on strengthening instruction, expanding access, and building reflective professional practice. Participants engage in lesson feedback, peer dialogue, case-based discussion, and collaborative problem-solving to refine their teaching, support diverse learners, and deepen the impact of arts education across classrooms and disciplines.

This community is free and open to all levels and curiosities by application. Whether you’re an experienced lesson planner or beginning your teaching journey, you are welcome to apply!

This PLC meets Wednesdays, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM from October 7, 2026–April 28, 2027 at the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts. Note that there are no meetings during Brown University academic breaks: November 25 (Thanksgiving week), December 9–January 27 (Winter Break), and March 24 (Spring Break).

Facilitator

Nicole Simpson
Nicole Simpson believes the arts are for everyone. With nearly 20 years in public education, she has experience teaching from a cart, launching a high school, and now supports arts educators as Director of Fine & Performing Arts for Providence Public Schools. She’s passionate about collaborating to create meaningful, high-quality arts experiences for both students and teaching artists.