Educator Open House
Thank you to everyone who joined us!
We hosted an event to connect with NWT educators during the NWT Educator’s Conference in February 2026. This conference happens every three years and brings together educators from across the Northwest Territories. Because one of NWTACI’s goals is to advance arts education, especially for children and youth, we designed this gathering to connect with and learn from educators.
This was an informal gathering with one opportunity to share thoughts and ideas.
Educators were asked to write their thoughts on sticky notes in response to two questions. Educators in Yellowknife, Ndilo, Dettah, or Behchokǫ̀ were asked to use one colour of sticky note, while educators from other places in the territory were asked to use another colour. This is because we expect distance to the art centre will have an impact on programming that can be offered to schools, and whether programming is offered on site or virtual/distance.
This is what we heard from educators:
Tell us about art education or art making in your school or community? What already exists?
At schools in the Yellowknife area
Depending on the school, on-site cultural learning centres offer beading classes and other art opportunities
Display spaces around the school for student artwork
Drama and stagecraft courses
Dedicated visual arts classroom and courses
Drama productions in school, as well as by local community groups who often need youth performers
Photography courses
At schools across the NWT
Many great organizations who can be partnered with (ex. Pride Society, Great Northern Arts Festival)
Depending on the skills and interests of teachers, some teachers have unique art abilities that they’re bringing to their students
Opportunities to create art outside of art classrooms (ex. making props for local theatre performances and concerts)
Connected North offers virtual sessions on a number of topics, including art (mentioned multiple times)
Some schools offer art therapy sessions for students
NWT-wide or community-wide art contests
Edukits from the PWNHC
We were also able to share examples of arts programming for schools from other museums and art galleries. These include Artists-in-Schools programs, field trips and on-site workshops, classroom art kits and virtual field trips, professional development for teachers, and after school, PD day, or summer camps for children. Download a copy of the document HERE.
If you missed the gathering but would like to chat about arts education in the territory, please reach out!
Email sara.komarnisky [at] nwtartcentre.ca and watch for future opportunities to participate!
What ideas do you have that might be possible?
At schools in the Yellowknife area
Art in outdoor public spaces (murals, sidewalk art, etc.)
Outdoor hands-on opportunities (ex. in collaboration with Bushkids)
At schools across the NWT
Art events in communities
Indigenous-led or -focused art therapy
Educating young children through hands-on and face-to-face programs (short courses)
Art exhibitions through schools
Outreach at the start of the school year so that teachers know what you offer
Create a network of arts educators across the NWT to support teachers looking for resources and information
After school art clubs
Artist-in-residence programs in communities
