Sold Out – Summer Teacher Institute 2026

Every day except Monday, from Tuesday, July 14, 2026 to Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

*The Summer Teacher Institute 2026 has sold out. To join the waitlist, please email [email protected].*

Summer Teacher Institute 2026
Wild Wonder, Quiet Mind: Nature-Inspired Art for Rest & Renewal

Registration required.
Members: $75
General public: $175
College students: $50
One graduate credit available through the Art Academy of Cincinnati for an additional fee.

This program is limited to 40 participants and fills quickly. Registration is required, and a summer contact email is needed to confirm your spot.

This summer, slow down and reflect as you explore how artists across the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection–and community–interpret wellness, serenity, and the natural world. Anchoring this year’s workshop is keynote speaker, Sara Torgison, a local interdisciplinary artist whose surrealist sculptures highlight her expertise in ceramics and fiber arts and reflect her dual degree in zoology. Torgison will lead two distinct and unique art-making experiences:

• A clay building workshop, titled Tiny Creatures, based on her popular NCECA highlighted session
• An illustration workshop, title Basics of Botanical Drawing, inspired by her residency and upcoming exhibition at the Lloyd Library

Additionally, educators will be treated to a season preview talk led by the museum’s curatorial team, a talk and demonstration with local children’s book illustrator, Becca Stadtlander, and a soulful photobooth experience with local photographer and artist, Nikita Gross—plus MORE! Breakfast and lunch will be served all three days, and all art-making materials will be provided.

CEU certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the program; up to 21 continuing education hours will be available and attendees must participate in all three days of the workshop to receive a certificate.

Graduate credit is available for an additional fee through the Art Academy of Cincinnati. More information can be found at the AAC website.

About Summer Teacher Institute

The Summer Teacher Institute (STI) is designed to inspire educators to explore new ideas and renew their creative energy ahead of the academic year. Now entering its 24th summer, the institute returns annually with a new theme, drawing on the museum’s expertise in hands-on, object-based learning to foster curiosity and lifelong engagement with the arts.

STI welcomes educators of all grade levels and disciplines, including homeschool teachers, art advocates, art appreciation volunteers, pre-service education majors, teaching artists, as well as community and museum educators. The program investigates diverse teaching strategies for object-based learning as well as STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math) connections for pre-K through 12th-grade classrooms.

If you need accessibility accommodations, please contact us in advance at [email protected] or fill out the accessibility request form.