Art educators are increasingly concerned about the potential "deskilling" effects of text-to-image technologies in K-12 art classrooms. That is, the degree to which over-reliance on image generators might diminish tactile and motor skills gained through the mastery of age-old artistic methods such as: brush painting with watercolors, gradient shading with colored pencils, molding shapes with clay & more.

The "AI Toolkit for Art Educators" grew out of the desire to explore how generative tools might reshape, and entangle artistic processes in K-12 settings, and the extent to which such processes might center the artistic needs and desires of Black and Brown middle school students in New York City urban schools. We draw upon critical perspectives from Black and Brown Artists and Art Educators who are united by the need to advance art educational equity. Their lived experiences, which spans utilizing, resisting and experiencing the harms of generative AI, have led us to prioritize material, logistical and on-the-ground pedagogical questions, rather than abstract, conceptual theories.

This toolkit is a living document, which will change in response to developments in the field. To identify the most recent update, please look for the "last update" button at the bottom right of the page.