Ask the Artists in Your Classroom

How to gather authentic student feedback before pitching new programs

The best art programs don’t begin with a grant or an email — they begin with a question.

When a teacher asks, “What does creativity look like to you?” something powerful happens. Students stop thinking about assignments and start thinking about identity. That shift is where The Art of Leadership begins.

Before you propose a new program, gather feedback directly from your students. Try a five-minute reflection: “When do you feel most creative in school?” or “What would you create if you had more freedom?” Let them write, sketch, or record a voice note. Keep it open-ended.

Now, listen. You’ll find patterns in their answers — they’ll talk about community, belonging, wanting to make something that lasts. That’s your proposal language right there.

Administrators and program managers are driven by outcomes. Student voice is your evidence. Turn those reflections into a one-page summary with real quotes (“I wish we could paint something for everyone to see”). Attach that to your internal submission.

Art programs are approved when they prove value. Nothing proves value like a student saying, “This would make me want to come to school.”

Action Steps

• Start a classroom reflection exercise this week using one of the prompts above.

• Save or transcribe key student quotes — they’ll become your proposal anchors.

• Create a short document titled “Student Reflections on Creativity” and share it with your art lead or VAPA coordinator.

• When you present new program ideas, include at least three authentic student voices.

Key Takeaway: Student voice is the most persuasive data you can collect. Let your students speak first.