Denver Digerati Education Initiatives
Philosophy
Denver Digerati is dedicated to education initiatives that broaden understanding of relevant technology in the arts for students and the general public. We believe in creative exploration that leads to innovative ways of thinking and interpreting the world as well as through methodologies that build narrative devices through visual language. We are able to offer unique exhibition opportunities that allow our students real-world experiences and a platform to center their voices.
Denver Digerati offers a curriculum that is strategically interdisciplinary in order to bring a fresh approach to traditional methods of teaching the arts. Our goal for next generation students is that they become strong problem solvers who feel confident, successful, and capable of creative thinking that is out of the box. We strive to get students to look at things differently by eliminating traditional boundaries and rules that surround the creation of art. We advocate for new ways of seeing and we teach without reservation or bias. Through our ongoing workshops and previous decade of various offerings, we present to students examples of amazing artwork with relevant, inspirational stories that correspond to successful working methods, in a way that is within their grasp. We provide opportunities for students that directly impact their complex lives.
Digital tools are capable of unleashing creative imaginations in astonishing capacities. The hyper-evolution of digital media and advanced technology mandates a frequent evolution in the delivery of education. The demand for deeper knowledge is accelerating rapidly, just like technology itself, directly impacting new career intersections and personal fulfillment.
Examples of our work to date
Education and Educator support
Grieving Teens and Tweens Animation Workshop for Children’s Hospital Colorado 2022
Digital Download worshop for Union Hall’s Rough Gems program 2022
Digital Discovery and Stop Motion Animation Workshop for Morey Middle School 2022
Evergreen Middle school classroom project for Supernova 7th Dimension 2022
MSU Denver classroom project for Supernova 7th Dimension 2022
RMCAD classroom project for Supernova 7th Dimension 2022
Partnership with East High School educator Estee Fox and her program Angel Toons for Supernova Regeneration 2021
RMCAD Virtual Student Graduation Exhibitions 2020
CU Denver CAM classroom project for Supernova 2019
CU Denver Lynx Camp presentation for Supernova 2019
Statewide Student Shorts Competition for Supernova 2018
CU Denver CAM classroom project for Denver public LED presentation 2015
Supernova Festival Guest Artist lectures 2016 - 2019
Children’s Hospital Colorado Partner Testimonial
I am new to working at Children’s Hospital Colorado and to have had the opportunity to be part of this grief support group in collaboration with Denver Digerati, was truly an honor. I am a certified child life specialist here at CHCO and providing support, compassion and developmentally appropriate comprehension for children and families experiencing or having experienced the death of a loved one is a part of my role. It was a joy to sign on each week to this virtual workshop and be able to support these children/adolescents while they navigate the many waves of grief while learning about the art of animation. To see the participants light up each week being able to share memories of their sibling and to see their creativity blossom through the teachings of Sharifa with Denver Digerati was almost indescribable. This workshop allowed these participants a moment of respite to create something all their own, to be able to express themselves through art while being surrounded by others in similar grief was so deeply moving. Each week we shared our highs and lows, the challenges of grief and ways in which to help ourselves cope when grieving through a variety of coping strategies. It was an incredibly well thought out workshop and was something I looked forward to each week. I would love to see this workshop continue to be offered to families who have children grieving and perhaps, in an in-person setting allowing support staff and participants to be able to connect and experience the workshop in ways that virtual experiences can not provide.
-Allison Butler, Certified Child Life Specialist
Animation fundamentals and digital techniques for High School students
8 week session with North High, co-teaching with painting and drawing educator, Jonathan Wright to offer an interdisciplinary blend of linear perspective and architectural illustration that is part of the curriculum requirement of Denver Public Schools. This unit is overlaid with stop-motion animation and creative storytelling. We co-teach with Mr. Wright for all 4 sessions of his class, one partnered with PlatteForum, along with assistant educator Destany Rodriguez.
6 week art club session with DSST introducing students to digital animation and 2D animation techniques, partnered with PlatteForum and assistant educator Leilani Abeyta.
Introduction to digital animation 6 week workshop with PlatteForum ArtLab teens.
Curating digital animation 4 week workshop with MCA Denver Teens.
Supernova Crash Courses
Denver Digerati’s educational programs that we offered in 2021 guided students of any age and location as they explore and engage with the creative process. Our classes don’t simply teach software, they support learning through methods that are approachable and affordable for students at all points of entry. Denver Digerati works with leading artists and educators in this field to provide a dynamic curriculum focused on the production of an artwork or short film and the potential opportunity for these creations to be featured in the Supernova Digital Animation Festival.