The Spencer Museum of Art is raising funds to support K–12 teachers through their statewide program Partners in Education Across Kansas (PEAK), which infuses art into the lives of young learners throughout the state. By connecting academic subject matter with sensory experience, art can weave multiple ways of learning into a deeper understanding of any subject.

Using artwork from the Spencer’s rich collection, PEAK has provided more than 75 K–12 educators with the support, skills, and tools to integrate art with social and emotional learning in their classrooms. Through in-person trainings, virtual workshops, and lesson plans — which are free for any teacher to access through the Spencer’s website — PEAK helps Kansas teachers enhance their students’ learning experience by customizing curriculum to meet their needs.

Deirdre Hoff, a high school social studies teacher in Salina, Kansas, says that PEAK resources enabled her to help her students navigate difficult emotions following the tragic loss of two classmates. “Teachers didn’t know what to do or how to help our students process their loss,” Hoff recalls. “Since I have participated in PEAK, I had several methods for using art in the classroom to choose from and the supplies needed to make a quick change to my lesson plans. Several students thanked me afterwards because it was something that helped them with what they were going through. Without PEAK, I wouldn’t have known what to do and wouldn’t have been able to help in this small way.”

Since PEAK was established in 2022, approximately 10,800 students have experienced the positive impact of arts-integrated lessons. Supporting this campaign will allow the Spencer Museum to provide resources and programming to even more teachers and students across the state. Your gift today will sustain much-needed support for Kansas teachers through the PEAK program. 

We are grateful to Jeff and Mary Weinberg for providing the lead gift for our Partners in Education Across Kansas campaign.