Engage in the themes of Toward Common Cause through a weeklong exchange between teachers, educators at multiple Chicago museums, and artists at the center of the exhibition.

This Summer Teacher Institute offers participants—classroom teachers at any grade and any subject matter, teaching artists, and cultural educators from arts or community-based organizations—to engage deeply with the work of MacArthur Fellows and reflect upon some of the most important issues and questions of our time while developing lesson plans for the 2021–2022 school year.

Register for the Summer Teacher Institute

FREE. CPDUs available for eligible educators.

The Summer Teacher Institute is currently planned to happen primarily in-person at the University of Chicago and partner organizations throughout Chicago, with transportation provided. Participants are required to follow the University’s COVID-19 guidance applicable at the time of their visit. 

Thematic tracks

During the Summer Teacher Institute, participants will be placed in one of four thematic tracks: Black Arts and Experience, Latinx Art and History, Communications + Critique, and Environmental Justice. Participants will be asked to select their preferred track when they register.

Schedule

Lunch will be provided on Monday and Friday; participants should plan to provide their own lunch on other days.

Monday, August 16
9:30 am–4 pm
Meet at the Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue.
The Summer Teacher Institute opens with a day of introductions, participatory activities, and planning. Participants will receive toolkits of materials and divide up into thematic tracks.

Tuesday, August 17
10 am–4 pm
Meet at the Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue.
On the second day, participants will divide up and explore thematic tracks through hands-on activities and excursions to various Toward Common Cause venues, including DuSable Museum of African American History, Hyde Park Art Center, Newberry Library, and Stony Island Arts Bank. Transportation will be provided from the Smart Museum to partner sites and back.

Wednesday, August 18
10 am–4 pm
**All sessions on Wednesday are virtual **
Working remotely, participants will have time to develop their lesson plans, connect with Smart Museum educators during virtual office hours, and take part in a series of virtual talks from participating MacArthur Fellows Amalia Mesa-Bains, Mel Chin, and Rick Lowe.

Thursday, August 19
10 am–4 pm
Meet at the Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue.
On the fourth day, participants will again divide up and continue exploring thematic tracks through hands-on activities and excursions to various Toward Common Cause venues, including Museum of Contemporary Photography, Museum of Contemporary Art, National Museum of Mexican Art, SkyART, South Side Community Art Center, Sweet Water Foundation, and Urban Juncture. Transportation will be provided from the Smart Museum to partner sites and back.

Friday, August 20
10 am–4 pm
Meet at the Logan Center for the Arts, The University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th Street.
The final day of the Summer Teacher Institute features a keynote talk from Chicago-based artist and educator William Estrada, group working sessions to further develop and share lesson plans, and creative activities. The week ends with a festive celebration on the Midway.

Register for the Summer Teacher Institute

Organized by the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago in collaboration with Arts + Public Life, BBF Family Services, DuSable Museum of African American History, Hyde Park Art Center, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Logan Center for the Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Photography, National Museum of Mexican Art, Newberry Library, Rebuild Foundation, SkyART, South Side Community Art Center, Sweet Water Foundation, Urban Juncture, and Weinberg/Newton Gallery.