Professional Development for Teachers
Stay tuned for upcoming events in 2026!
Texas TAB Lab
June 2026 (TBD) in Taylor, TX
2.5-day workshop for all levels of TAB teachers. We have a new host every year, which brings so much to the experience.
Cost: $10
Organizer: Jean Barnett
Link to registration to come
St. Louis TAB Workshop
June 2026 (TBD) in St. Louis, MO
A two-day workshop to connect with other teachers and gain the tools & methods to implement TAB.
$275
Organizer: Phyllis Pasley
Link to registration to come
TABstock
June 2026 (TBD) in Three Oaks, MI
Beloved unconference-style campout with fellow TAB teachers.
Cost: $150
Organizer: Lisa Van Plew
Link to registration to come
TAB Institute
July 2026 (TBD) in Boston, MA
Week-long, on-campus, in-depth PD in the heart of Boston with fellow TAB teachers!
Cost: $1,075 (non-credit) and $2,730 (3 grad credits)
Link to registration to come
Mid-Atlantic TAB Camp
August 2026 (TBD) in Spring Grove, PA
Are you an art educator looking to deepen your understanding of choice-based art education and Teaching Artistic Behaviors (TAB)? Do you want to nurture your own creativity while connecting with like-minded educators? This retreat is designed for YOU! Let’s empower our students by empowering ourselves.
Cost: $80 for camping, $100 for sleeping inside
Organizer: Raine Dawn
Link to registration to come
TAB Camp Northeast
August 2026 (TBD) in Old Lyme, CT
Experience the discussions, connections, camaraderie, and personal growth as a TAB / TAB-Curious practitioner through this unique unconference-style professional development. Exchange ideas about practices in your TAB classrooms and get fresh new ideas for your own! See this document for more details from previous years.
Cost: $120
Organizer: Annie Banning and TAB Northeast
Link to registration to come
TAB Play
August 2026 (TBD) in Sun Prairie, WI
This workshop offers free professional development for art educators, focusing on TAB pedagogy and student-centered learning. Participants will explore topics like studio procedures, assessment, inclusive instructional practices, and personal artistry through collaborative sessions. The event includes potluck lunches and welcomes experienced TAB educators and TAB-curious art educators.
Cost: free (contribute to a potluck lunch sign-up)
Organizer: Bridget Kudrle
Link to registration to come
2025 TAB Institute:
Embracing the Power of Process Through a Deep Dive into Printmaking
The 2025 TAB Institute on “Embracing the Power of Process with a Deep Dive into Printmaking” was held in Boston last summer.
Visiting Artist Magda Leon gave the keynote address and led art-making in the Studio with each cohort. Abby Birhanu, teacher and author, joined as a guest speaker and led a workshop about the power of process in the TAB Studio.
HIGHLIGHTS
Content for both beginning and experienced practitioners
Flexible schedule
Cohort groups for elementary, middle, and high school
Choice of additional sessions or workshops every day about topics like building Community in a TAB Studio, Media-Specific Courses and Play and Learning
Focus on building relationships, trust, and equity
TAB instructional practices, assessment tools, and strategies
Studio center introductions and demonstrations
Teachers as makers in the art studio
TAB INSTITUTE SPECIFICS 2025
- Fully in person
- Sessions July 14 to July 18, 2024
- 3 graduate credits or non-credit
- On campus shared housing
- Participants meet with an age level cohort
SCHEDULE
- For on campus shared housing, arrive Sunday, July 13.
- Classes are Monday – Friday, July 14 to July 18, 9:00am – 4:00pm, with optional studio evenings.
PROGRAM COST AND REGISTRATION
TAB Non-credit Course Cost: $1075
TAB Graduate 3 Credit Course Tuition: $2730
Housing Cost: $500
REFUND POLICY
- Students who withdraw before June 1 will receive a refund of all payments.
- A request in writing (email to ce@massart.edu) to withdraw from the course is required.
HOUSING
On-campus shared rooms are available in MassArt’s Tree House Residence Hall. Each room has two beds and a shared bath. They are available Sunday through Saturday (the program concludes on Saturday). Linens are provided; residents will bring their own toiletries.
Housing Costs
- 2025 cost: $500
CREDIT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS
Massachusetts College of Art and Design offers graduate credits and issues an official transcript for work completed in the 2025 TAB Summer Institute. A Certificate of Completion may be used for MA Professional Development Points.
REQUIREMENTS FOR 3 GRADUATE CREDITS 2025
- Pre-institute online component
- Attend a minimum of 90 hours combined class time, pre-institute time, and studio time.
- Share a media, technique, or process in the Studio.
- Meet with one of the directors to discuss the final project.
- Complete a final project. Past projects have included class websites, room design plans, curriculum mapping, and advocacy brochures.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
MassArt is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for documented physical and learning disabilities. Requests for any accommodation should be made two months before the start of the course ce@massart.edu.
Professional Development Inquiries
School districts or organizations interested in professional development can contact Melissa Purtee at melissa@teachingforartisticbehavior.org