MOCA believes in the importance of rigorous and playful opportunities that support teachers’ development as learners themselves in addition to providing creative curricular materials and teaching strategies for the classroom. MOCA aims to energize and inspire creativity in teachers with their professional development opportunities. Prices vary with events.
Contemporary Art Start (CAS)
Contemporary Art Start (CAS) is a yearlong visual art and thinking skills program for 3rd-12thgrade classrooms across Los Angeles County, with specialized tracks of professional development for 3rd-5th grade teachers and secondary interdisciplinary teams. Carefully aligned with the Common Core standards, CAS consists of 4 interconnected program elements that make a sustained impact during program enrollment and beyond:
- extensive professional development both at MOCA and in the classroom (2 LAUSD salary points)
- two class visits to MOCA, led by MOCA’s staff educators (1:10 staff to student ratio)
- a sequenced, discussion-based classroom curriculum
- family involvement opportunities throughout the year, including quarterly Sunday Studio programs and unlimited-use family passes for students
CAS targets visual literacy, critical thinking, and communication skill development by training teachers to effectively use Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a rigorous, inquiry-based discussion method, with carefully chosen works of art. With practice and coaching within the context of a supportive peer network, teachers also explore how VTS supports learning across the curriculum.
