At CAPE, we believe artists, teachers, and students learn best when they explore together. Our Artist/Researcher Model transforms classrooms into spaces of inquiry, where creativity and curiosity drive deep learning across subjects. Recognized by Chicago Public Schools as a best practice in its Cultivating Creativity: Arts Education Plan 2.0, this approach shows how the arts can be both a method and a medium for learning.
What Is the Artist/Researcher Model?
The Artist/Researcher Model places artists and teachers not only as educators, but as co-learners. Together with students, they investigate big questions, experiment with ideas, and reflect on discoveries. Instead of focusing solely on content delivery, the model emphasizes a process of inquiry—asking, exploring, revisiting, and creating.
This work bridges disciplines. Visual arts, media arts, music, dance, and theatre are not treated as stand-alone subjects, but as powerful tools that intersect with science, literacy, math, and social studies.
Why It Matters
The Artist/Researcher Model equips students with the skills most needed in today’s world:
- Curiosity and critical thinking to approach problems from multiple perspectives.
- Collaboration to learn from peers and negotiate complex ideas.
- Creativity and innovation to generate new possibilities.
- Reflection and adaptability to grow through iteration.
These are not only the foundations of rigorous learning, but also the very qualities identified by the World Economic Forum as among the top skills for the future workforce.
Students as Artist/Researchers
Through high-quality arts-integrated learning, students become Artist/Researchers themselves. They take on roles that deepen both academic and personal growth:
- Reflective Questioners – who learn through inquiry and generate new questions as projects evolve.
- Critical Collaborators – who explore intersections, conflicts, and contradictions together.
- Social Engagers – who use art as a tool for dialogue and community interaction.
- Role Shifters – who move between learner, creative, and educator roles for new perspectives.
- Integrative Innovators – who work across artistic and academic disciplines to develop original ideas.
These roles foster critical thinking, creativity, and resilience—skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Recognition & Impact
In May 2025, Chicago Public Schools unveiled Cultivating Creativity: CPS Arts Education Plan 2.0. CAPE’s Artist/Researcher Model was highlighted as a leading example of effective arts integration, demonstrating its impact on both instructional quality and student learning.
CAPE continues to collaborate with CPS and the Department of Arts Education to bring this vision into action—ensuring every student has access to high-quality, inquiry-driven arts learning.
Get Involved
CAPE’s Artist/Researcher Model thrives through collaboration—with educators, schools, artists, and community partners.
Educators & Artists: Explore how the Artist/Researcher model was created from years of reflection between CAPE partners.
Partners & Funders: Learn how to support arts integration in Chicago schools.
Everyone: Read CAPE’s Impact Stories and see the Artist/Researcher Model in action.
Together, we can cultivate creativity and inquiry for all students.
Support CAPE’s Mission!
Your gift will immediately go towards providing meaningful arts education partnerships for students, teachers and teaching artists in Chicago and West Chicago.
