“ArtSpeak has inspired our students for many years. Even after graduation, students cherish their experiences at Krannert Art Museum, fostering a lifelong love for the arts.”
—Andrea Cox, ArtSpeak facilitator and art teacher at Rantoul Township High School
At the heart of Krannert Art Museum’s vibrant initiatives for engagement and belonging—one pillar of the 2024–27 strategic plan—lies ArtSpeak, a program fostering creative exploration and collaboration with Rantoul Township High School since 2006, in a small city with a highly diverse student body. Over the years, ArtSpeak has evolved into a dynamic platform where young minds delve into the world of art, finding inspiration, mentorship, and a sense of belonging within the museum’s walls.
In 2023, the program turned an ordinary orientation tour into an immersive day-long field trip at the museum. This special event featured artist talks, career exploration sessions, and engaging activities designed to inspire students to create artworks in response to works in the museum’s collection.
In an exciting development, ArtSpeak students proudly showcased their work at KAM as part of the Boneyard Arts Festival. The students went on to participate in the museum’s inaugural Teen Takeover of KAM, which featured local artists DJ Tim Williams, Joy Yang, Dan Wild, Stacey Robinson, Kofi Bazzell-Smith, and Marc-Anthony Macon offering workshops in music, collagemaking, experimental sound, live drawing, and digital art.
As ArtSpeak approaches its twentieth anniversary, the partnership between Rantoul Township High School and KAM continues to flourish, as we seek to sustain and expand this long-term relationship and engage in work responsive to their needs.
Reflecting on the profound impact of ArtSpeak, Allison O’Hern, a creative writing teacher, shares, “ArtSpeak provides Rantoul Township High School students with a place to thrive. Students feel supported and safe to explore creative endeavors while learning about different artistic opportunities.”
ArtSpeak testifies to the power of collaboration between schools and cultural institutions. With the support of both Krannert Art Museum and Rantoul Township School District #193, ArtSpeak remains a beacon of creativity, collaboration, and community.
Author: Rachel Lauren Storm, Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Learning
