Teaching Complex Thinking Through Art

Julie Carmean serves as Senior Museum Educator and Manager of National Teacher Programs at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, where she has revolutionized art education through innovative teaching methodologies. Her expertise spans developing professional development programs, creating online courses, and implementing Artful Thinking routines to enhance critical thinking through art. After teaching in Title I and Arts Integration schools, she earned her Master's degree in Arts in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she studied under Professor Shari Tishman. Her significant contributions include leading the Gallery's first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Teaching Critical Thinking through Art," which has reached educators globally. As coordinator of the Summer Institute for Educators and manager of national teacher programs, she develops curriculum resources and facilitates professional development that makes art accessible to diverse learners. Her work combines gallery teaching, studio instruction, and online learning innovation, while her regular presentations on deep thinking through art and meaningful pedagogies have influenced art education practices nationwide

Liz Diament has served as a Senior Museum Educator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC for over two decades, where she expertly manages the museum's extensive docent program of 130 volunteers and designs innovative visitor-centered experiences. Her educational background combines an Art History degree from Manchester University, England, with a Master's in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education, New York. As a leader in experiential museum education, she has developed internationally acclaimed professional development workshops for educators, both in-person and online, while co-planning the National Gallery's Summer Institute for Educators. Her expertise in integrating Project Zero's research into museum education has influenced her approach to creating meaningful art experiences for diverse audiences. Working alongside Julie Carmean, she has contributed significantly to the Gallery's educational initiatives, including the development of critical thinking routines through art appreciation. Her commitment to making art accessible extends beyond traditional museum education through her regular workshops exploring the intersection of Jewish texts, history, and artistic interpretation.