Art is a subject that we really need to have in schools. Students are inspired by art, both digital and old-school paper and scissors art. Art is infused in science, design, architecture, history–it’s everywhere. It inspires us. When we look at the things in the world that truly move us, we go on to do great things This week’s Learnist boards are dedicated to art and design–both classical and contemporary. They show the impact of art in the classroom, in history, and in society today.

Inspiring students with art is not always easy. But these Learnist resources have you covered – with a look at art technology and history.

Teaching Art History
Madeline Gent’s board is about teaching art history using technology. This board has apps and tools that can be used in making lessons more graphically pleasing.

Renaissance Art, Fashion & Design
Amelia Hamilton’s board on Renaissance art, fashion, and design shows its origins in the art of ancient Rome. She includes the beautiful and the “grotesque.” Learn about things like strapwork, and architecture, including some of the great churches and palaces of the region.

San Francisco Street Art
This is a favorite board of mine. I love the murals. Though these are from San Francisco, boards like this should be made for every city, documenting some of the great murals and pieces of art expression throughout the nation. In the meantime, enjoy this small sample from San Francisco collected by Steve Rodriguez.

Ceramics/Pottery Resources
This board was created by Michelle Knight for a ceramics class. This is a great use of Learnist–students can research materials, and use those materials to influence their own works and creations.

Architectural Renderings
Architectural illustrator Bobby Parker’s board shows how to create accurate and realistic architectural illustrations. It also includes information about copyright law helping artists to maintain the rights to their works.

History of Modern Art
Spyros Thalassinos outlined several movements in modern art on this board. This board would be great for learning how art integrates with history or social movements, and can be used in a class or simply to brush up on general art knowledge.

The Sketchbook Project
“It’s no fun to leave your work in a closet.” Artists all over the nation are adding their sketches to The Sketchbook Project, which is becoming one of the largest compendia of sketches in the world. Maggie Messit’s board shows how exciting this really is. You, as an artist, can request a sketchbook free, fill it up with sketches, and mail it back. Your work then becomes part of the permanent mobile collection that will tour the nation.

Karl Taylor’s FREE Photography Course
Learnist and Udemy have a partnership–Learnist users can get deep discounts on Udemy courses, which are taught by in-field experts. This one is a special treat–Karl Taylor’s photography course is free. There’s no bigger discount than that. This course teaches the fundamentals of digital photography, such as lighting, composition, and how to start creating your own art using the photographic medium today.

Learnist Night School No. 1: Design with Purpose
The Learnist Night School series is a fantastic concept. Basically, a handful of thought leaders in a certain area meet up, eat fantastic food, and generate inspiring thoughts. Then they post the menu, the details of the meeting, and make us all wish we were there. Through these boards I feel like I was, in fact, in the room. This, the first in the series, is dinner with leading designers in the field, showing how our lives are impacted through the function and form of design. You shouldn’t miss any of this installment.

Fashion and Decor
This board is interesting on many levels. First, the fashion and decor industries generate over twenty billion dollars each year–there are so many careers available in these areas. They influence every facet of our lives, whether we admit it or not. Everything from the clothes we wear and how we decorate our homes and office spaces, to the graphics that appeal to us–it is the definition of pop culture. This board by journalist Marcelle Sussman Fishchler shows the beautiful side of life.