Why Art is the Most Important Class

On this episode of *Art Ed Radio*, host Tim Bogatz sits down with high school art teacher Chris Hodge, who brings nearly 25 years of classroom experience and a myriad of insights. Hodge shares the teaching philosophy at the heart of everything he does: giving students meaningful choice and nurturing genuine curiosity. He opens up about his lifelong relationship with artmaking and his dedication to continuing to create.   Tim and Hodge also dig into the realities of maintaining a personal art practice while teaching full-time (including late-night drawing sessions). Hodge shares practical strategies for working through creative blocks, and explains how the permanence of ink has taught him resilience both in the studio and in life. The episode wraps with a preview of Chris's upcoming Art Ed NOW Conference presentation, where he'll make the case that art is the most important class, arguing that the creative thinking art builds is foundational to success in every other discipline. ### Resources and Links - Come join the Art of Ed Community! - [Check out the Art Ed NOW Conference](https://theartofeducation.edu/now/ "https://theartofeducation.edu/now/") - Follow Hodge on Instagram - How I Tricked Myself Into Making Art Again - The Power of Creative Play for Art Teachers