CRAIG NORTON

New Britain Museum of American Art Photography Program

Craig states “My greatest joys and learning experiences have come through teaching what I love. For me, it is more about inspiration and creative expression than learning by the book. I am privileged to be a Teaching Artist at New Britain Museum of American Art, West Hartford Art League, CT Children’s Medical Center and Young Audiences/VSA for long term artist residencies in schools.”

Craig Norton has been a professional freelance photographer for over 20 years. His specialties have changed over the years allowing him to now work in a variety of situations. His fine art prints can be found in galleries throughout CT. Craig has taken this lifelong passion for photography and turned to teaching and inspiring others with the camera. In 2003, Craig developed an arts enrichment program called “Playtography” for young patients at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. This weekly residency gives young patients the opportunity to see their surroundings from a new perspective and forget being sick while being creative. He has developed galleries of the patient’s photographs, which have been featured in the hospital as well as in the community and in hospital publications. Craig teaches “Digital Photography” for West Hartford Arts League and is a Teaching Artist for the New Britain Museum of American Art. In 2006, Craig received a “Bright Idea’s” grant from the Greater Hartford YMCA to write the curriculum for a filmmaking and video production class.

In Craig’s classes, students always learn by experience with hands-on exercises. Students review and reflect on their work as a group and are encouraged to provide and receive positive feedback and constructive criticism. The purpose of this process is to refine and improve the technical and esthetic aspects of the student’s work as well as teaching positive communication skills. As more experienced photographers emerge, they provide peer learning and role modeling opportunities and thus develop their leadership skills.

Through the Lens Workshop and Residency Programs

The intention of “Through The Lens” workshops and residencies is to provide students with a creative outlet that inspires them to see their environment from a fresh point of view. With a digital camera and their natural sense of wonder, children have a chance to explore their world and use photography as a tool to express themselves. Photography boosts self-esteem and gives children a chance to be creative with high tech tools as well as heightening awareness of their surrounding community and environment. Because of the universal applications for photography there are countless potential outcomes for clients to choose from. By giving students some choice of project goals is an excellent way to empower them.

Primary Objectives:

• Together with the school, we’ll set goals, expected outcomes and create specific curriculum links. Projects will then be developed for your students.
• Teach fundamentals of photography including historical context, applications, camera features and benefits, composition and lighting.
• Teach fundamentals of digital technology including file management and image sizing, camera/computer interaction, printing and editing.
• Once students have learned the basics, discuss and explore inspirations and applications with the schools expected outcome in mind.
• Practice photography on various projects that puts their skills to task and allows them to complete project goals.
• Create interactive links to community and the natural environment.
• Provide a participatory experience that utilizes digital photography as an expressive art form.
• Inspire students to see their world from a new perspective.
• Go on a field trip to an art museum that features photography.

Potential Applications:

• Work in partnership with existing curriculum to utilize photography skills to enhance projects in language and visual arts, social studies, history, physics or general sciences, math.
• Use photojournalism to build cultural bridges for students and their community through themed assignments that involve observing community life. This could be in collaboration with neighborhood social service organizations, nursing homes, police departments, etc.
• Create a project that involves observing and chronicling the natural environment of a local ecosystem.
• Utilize student’s skills to create a wide variety of projects which could include: Community art galleries, photo journals, photo pen pals, web sites.
• Collaborate with school, community center or gallery to create an exhibit of student work.
• Collaborate with local newspaper to publish student’s work.
• Use self-portraiture and poetry to explore self image and boost self esteem.
• Allow students to choose specific projects or applications.

This program is appropriate for middle and high school students, as well as “at risk” and special education classes in grades 5-12. This program can also be applied to hospitals, camps, community education services and social service organizations for children at risk and special needs. Teacher training is also available to involve teachers in the process.

Technical Requirements:

Craig Norton will provide various resource materials for students, teachers and staff use. We provide up to 25 digital cameras and printers for participants. In the case of a permanent residency with one on one attention (such as a hospital or social service org.), arraignments may be made for the equipment to be supplied as part of the program. Please note that with direct camera/printer interaction, a computer is not necessarily needed. A video projector with computer connection will be needed for every class. If photo editing is part of the curriculum, then access to a computer lab will be needed on an as needed basis. The school will be notified in advance of expected dates.

Two Workshops: $490

Three Workshops: $625

Four Workshops: $780

Five Day Residency:

Two classes per day: $2,440

Three classes per day: $3,135

Four classes per day: $3,620

Materials cost: $7 per student.

Playtography:

One on One for expressive arts settings with special needs students.

1 x week semester 2-3 hours

$ 280 Per Day

WR