Date of Graduation

12-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Art Education (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Art

Advisor/Mentor

LaPorte, Angela

Committee Member

Schulte, Christopher

Second Committee Member

Brown, Kathy

Keywords

after-school; art; multilingual education; newcomer youth

Abstract

This thesis focuses on my participation in a project developed in collaboration with a non-profit organization, Canopy NWA, with a goal to design and implement an after-school art program for newcomer youth from refugee communities that Canopy serves. This research inquiry is a self- study supported by observation, reflexive practice, and the use of a critical friend for mentorship, collaborative planning, group reflection, and co-developing and co-teaching curriculum. Through investigating my current teaching practices and my lack of experience teaching students from refugee communities, I set out to answer the following two questions: How will my art teaching practices develop, shift, evolve, and become more inclusive through co-building and co-facilitating an art program with/for newcomer youth? and What are the practical and logistical considerations of building an after-school art program with/for students from refugee communities? Through the metaphor of a journey and a roadmap, I aim to illuminate how my art education teaching practice has changed because of my involvement in this project through the inclusion of strategies for teaching emergent bi/multilingual youth. Additionally, from my research I offer useful resources and sample lesson plans for other art educators who wish to embark on a similar journey.

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