Research Output
Emerging Shifts in Classrooms through Creative Facilitation
This report identifies how teachers develop confidence as facilitators of visual arts and SEL, how these shifts shaped student learning experiences, and what success stories and challenges emerged in the process.​
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Explore stories of Educators as they place creativity, joy, visual arts and Social-Emotional Learning at the heart of teaching!
Emerging Shifts in Classrooms through Creative Facilitation
Study Overview
This study was designed to investigate the impact of the Art-For-Educator program on educators’ mindsets, facilitation skills, and classroom practices. It explores how teachers developed confidence as facilitators of visual arts and SEL, how these shifts shaped student learning experiences, and what success stories and challenges emerged in the process.
The research also examined the role of art in supporting educator well-being, reflection, and professional identity as visual arts educators.
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This evaluation draws on a mixed-methods approach, including surveys with 202 educators and 1,867 students across 23 partner organizations and classroom observations, in-depth educator interviews, and focus group discussions across 4 partner organizations in Mumbai and Pune. Insights from focus group discussions laid the foundation for outcome mapping, enabling us to make educator mindset shifts visible and trace their impact within classrooms.
Classroom insights on creative practices
Focus Group Discussion with Educators
Key Findings
Five common themes emerged from the Focus Group Discussions, and central to all findings is a Shift in Educator Mindset, evolving from traditional, restrictive approaches to a more open, student-centred outlook rooted in creative freedom and self-expression. Being the key to unlocking educators’ creative practices, we find that the AFE program shared a new approach to practising & facilitating art that enabled these educators to expand their impact for their students.​
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Shift in Educator Mindset: Educators moved away from rigid ideas of “perfect art” and embraced student voice and creativity.
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Evolving Teaching Strategies: After SArC training, educators adopted open-ended prompts and student-led facilitation, making classes more engaging.
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Art as a medium for Professional Growth & Well-being: Teaching art became a reflective and healing process, contributing to educators’ emotional well-being and job satisfaction.
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Strengthening Student-Teacher Relationships: Art created an emotional connection and mutual respect in classrooms among the students and teachers.
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Impact of Student Confidence, Expressions & Engagement: Students showed greater emotional expression, teamwork, and joy in learning through art.
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The AFE program shows that when teachers are empowered to embrace creativity and emotional learning, both their mindsets and classrooms transform. By shifting from rigid teaching methods to reflective, student-centered facilitation, educators create safer, more expressive learning environments.
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Findings Overview: Focus Group Discussions