As a teaching artist and educator, I have served a diverse range of individuals and groups including children, students, at-risk youth and older adults, within museums, libraries, senior centers, educational institutions, non-profits, and social service programs. 

On a personal level, I am passionate about making a difference in people’s lives through education and the arts.  My work provides a platform through which to help individuals gain confidence, and utilize creativity for problem solving and creation of stimulating educational experiences. I have over 15 years of art practice and instruction, complimented by training in visual and theater arts.

Through partnership with organizations such as the New York Public Library, Department for the Aging, and New York Public Schools system, I’ve delivered enriching learning experiences that cultivate social consciousness and facilitate creative problem solving and skill development through exposure to the arts.

An Ohio native, Paul he received his BA in Theatre from Kent State University, and his MS in Art and Design Education from Pratt Institute. For his graduate thesis, he researched best practices for teaching art to older adults in community center settings.

He has presented his findings at various national conferences, including National Association of Art Educators, American Society on Aging, and National Center for Creative Aging.

Ferrara is certified as a TimeSlips facilitator, an improvisational storytelling program developed for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

Interested in learning more about a postmodern approach to teaching art to older adults?

Learn more about my career and experience by reading my resume below, or viewing it here.

Paul Ferrara, MS

ART EDUCATOR

Experienced visual art/integrated art teacher with extensive background in the development, instruction, and delivery of educational programming to children and adults. Graduate degree in art education. Fine artist knowledgeable in drawing, painting, assemblage, collage, printmaking, pop-up books, sculpture. Passionate advocate for building communities and cultivating social consciousness through visual arts. Range of teaching environments includes New York City schools, after-school programs, nonprofit service organizations, and museums. Background includes theatre production for elementary children and teenagers. Skilled in exhibition/curation, grant writing, budgeting, teacher training.

EDUCATION

Master of Science, Art and Design Education (with distinction), Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio                  

Professional Training (New York, NY): 

• University California Los Angeles, Social Emotional Arts Certificate      

• Gallery Teaching for Elementary School Groups, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum       

• The Studio Museum Harlem, Museum Education Practicum            

• STARRR Cohorts Teaching Artist Training Program

• City Center Teaching Artist Training Program

• Community Word Project Teacher Training Program

                                                      

TEACHING AND CURRICULUM DESIGN EXPERIENCE

Teaching Artist (October 2019 – March 2020)

92nd Street Y, New York, NY

Designed and taught visual arts to 325 children in pre-K through 2nd grade in a 14-week program.

• Managed student behavior and developed classroom routines to create a positive setting.

• Installed and updated exhibits of children’s artwork.

• Planned, organized, and integrated appropriate lesson plans (2D and 3D) to enhance child development in collaboration with classroom teachers.

Assistant to Teaching Artist (2018 – 2019)

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Learning Through Art, New York, NY

Worked with students one-on-one and in small groups as needed, as advised by teaching artist.

• Distributed all art materials to students. Helped to maintain an organized classroom and managed clean-up and storage of materials.

• Assisted in hanging in-school exhibitions and other displays of student artwork.

• Photographed students at work in the classroom.

• Helped with Learning Through Art events, and family days at the Guggenheim Museum.

Teaching Artist (2017)      

Salvation Army, GAINS After-School Program

Created curriculum and unit plans for a 5-month long after-school program for children in kindergarten through fifth grades.

• Taught once a week, two-hour art class for 24 children.

• Classes explored artmaking through drawing, painting, assemblage, and animation.

• Curated end-of-year exhibition which featured one artwork from each child (50 pieces in all) as well as 15 animated short films.

Student Art Teacher (Fall 2009)          

I.S. 223, The Montauk School, Brooklyn, NY

Collaborated with a middle school art teacher to prepare unit/lesson plans focusing on sculpture. 

• Demonstrated materials and techniques to students, and worked with them to organize the end-of-semester art installations.

Student Art Teacher (Fall 2008)

Beginning With Children Charter School, Brooklyn, NY

Instructed children ages 8 and 9 in an after-school program focused on teaching art through the use of recyclable material, incorporating assemblage, drawing, and collage.

• Developed and  implemented various thematic lesson plans utilizing age-appropriate material and focusing on relevant topics on a weekly basis in conjunction with another graduate student.

• Wrote an end-of-semester report tracking each student’s development and progress.

THEATRE EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT      

Teaching Artist/Substitute Teacher, New York, NY (1998 – 2004)

• Substitute teacher for NYC Board of Education through Actors Work Program focused on literacy through drama education in an elementary school.

Director

• Directed a ten-week summer camp theatre program for 20 elementary-age children through the Franciscan Community Center.

• Co-directed after-school drama program for 12 teenagers through Episcopal Social Services.

• Created a theatrical company for an established Latino youth group. Eighteen youths participated in the year-long program. Presented original works dealing with the religious beliefs and social issues of the Latino culture, Silver Spring MD.

TEACHING FOCUSED ON OLDER ADULTS

Master Teaching Artist – Train the Trainer Program (2014 – 2018)

Lifetime Arts, New Rochelle, NY, 2014 – 2018

National Center for Creative Aging, Washington, DC, 2017

Teaching Artist (Freelance), New York, NY (2010 – 2018)

Designed and taught visual arts classes for community organizations including New York Public Libraries, Weill Cornell Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, SAGE, Dorot.

• Developed curriculum and unit plans for visual arts classes 8-10 weeks in length, including drawing, acrylic painting, collage, printmaking, and pop-up books.

• Taught weekly 1 ½ to 2-hour art classes for 12-25 participants.

• Created and designed assessment programs.

• Partnered with center directors and program managers to organize culminating events.

Teaching Artist — Grant-funded programs (2009 – 2017)

Worked in 3 City-operated Senior Centers, New York, NY 2013 – 2017

• Wrote 5 grants, managed budget in conjunction with senior center management.

• Awarded a grant to teach and create lesson plans for weekly art classes for a 6-month residency  administered by The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council in conjunction with NYC’s Department for Aging.

• Curated, organized and installed 5 exhibitions for culminating events.

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