I got a new room last year and even though we were in on most of the
planning, there were a few things I just didn't think of. One of them
is to make sure you have deep enough shelves, cabinets to hold large
paper. I have nice cabinets but the spaces weren't designed with paper
sizes in mind----make sure they are deep enough and wide enough to hold
the papers you work with.
I asked for stainless steel sinks and I am very glad because they clean
up nicely.
I have absolutely gorgeous solid maple tables in my room, but they are
not very easy to keep clean! I would much rather have formica on top.
Removeable tote trays inside cabinets, too.
-----Original Message-----
From: M. Austin <whest177@wheatstate.com>
To: TeacherArtExchange Discussion Group
<teacherartexchange@lists.pub.getty.edu>
Sent: Thu, Jun 25, 2009 1:17 pm
Subject: Re: [teacherartexchange] a brand new art room! IDEAS?
Lucky you!!! When our bond issue passed I was asked what I wanted in my
room. You need to be VERY specific or you will get what you asked for,
but not what you wanted. I asked for shelving for student 3-D storage.
I got those brackets on the wall that hold boards - 5 of them to be
exact. I took them down & gave them to the PE teacher because they took
up all my wall space and were'nt large enough for student work. I asked
for more floor space in the form of removing 1/2 of the counter that
ran down20the center of my room. They did remove it, then replaced it
with another one that takes up more floor space. Outlets - got those
too, but in ODD spots that really don't make any sense. Think specifics
& long term - sinks, outlets, display space, student storage, teaching
practices (where will your desk go - make sure it is in a usable area,
as well as things such as your Smartboard/whiteboard/??? - you want
these to be logical and convienent). These are the things you are going
to be stuck with. Then plan desks, visual storage, etc. - be sure to
ask for everything you can think of because you may not see anything
new again for a LONG time!
~Michal
3-12 Kansas Art Teacher
HS Digital Communications
Technology Integration Specialist
http://www.geocities.com/theartkids%c2%a0 http://www.usd492.org%c2%a0
What is something you wish you could have built in for your own art
rooms?
