Video calls? Distance learning? Virtual classrooms? We’ve all learned a lot about technology this past year. New digital tools have helped us stay connected through difficult times, but in the midst of the remote learning revolution, one COMPAS program has returned to an age-old tradition: handwritten letters. For the past several months, COMPAS Teaching Artist [...]

Poet and author Joyce Sidman is a COMPAS veteran, having joined our Teaching Artist roster in 1998! In our latest Artist Spotlight, we hear her thoughts on what’s changed in the last 20+ years, what makes poetry special, and why teaching brings a little excitement to the solitary life of a writer. I hope you’ve [...]

Painter, illustrator, and all-around visual arts wizard Liv Novotny joined the COMPAS roster last July, and they’re already making magic. You can see Liv’s striking sign art on storefront windows from Saint Paul to Philadelphia, and in our newest Artist Spotlight, we caught up with them to hear about their experiences over the pandemic and [...]

Storyteller Danielle Daniel has been on the COMPAS roster for 30 years! As a veteran of her art form, she’s got a lot to say about the power of stories to connect people and bridge differences, as well as how storytelling and creativity can make real, powerful change. Read our Artist Spotlight interview to learn [...]

Zoë Bird is a Minnesota-grown poet and writer who leads the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project Minnesota. In our newest Artist Spotlight, Zoë speaks about her experience working with older adults and the power of poetry to unlock true connection. Zoë, thank you so much for taking time out of your day, especially on this historical Inauguration [...]

Emmett Ramstad is a sculptor, printmaker, book artist, and all around creator with years of experience integrating the arts into classroom learning. In our newest Artist Spotlight, we catch up with Emmett to learn about his experience teaching and creating during the pandemic, and what it means to make extraordinary art out of ordinary objects. [...]

Shakun Maheshwari is a multidisciplinary visual artist who works in a variety of traditional forms including henna, Rangoli, and sand painting. This week, we re-visit Shakun’s Artist Spotlight interview from 2016 and learn about her journey to discover a love of folk art as well as what it means to find joy in the process [...]