Workshop Contemporary Art & Children’s Play Louisa Penfold, Harvard University Friday, May 1, 2026 - ISACS Classroom, Chicago

Contemporary Art & Children's Play

Friday, May 1, 2026 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m. CT

Register

Explore exciting strategies for cultivating children’s creativity in the classroom through contemporary art & material play.

"Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness." –Anni Albers

Join returning presenter Dr. Louisa Penfold, Co-Chair of Arts and Learning at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, for a day of engaging mini workshops: Cardboard Construction, Sound Sculptures, Textile Weavings, and Performance Art.

  • Discover the importance of art and play in childhood development
  • Explore ‘Pedagogical Curation’ - a strategy that can be used to design learning environments that connect contemporary art practices and children’s play 
  • Learn practical steps for sourcing materials, researching artists, and scaffolding learning through the selection of materials, tools, vocabulary, and techniques

Audience

This workshop is for educators working with ages 2–12.

Location

ISACS Classroom • 55 West Wacker Dr #702, Chicago, IL
Travel Tips, Directions & Parking

Dr. Louisa Penfold Harvard University

Louisa Penfold, PhD is a lecturer and the co-chair of arts and learning at Harvard University. Her work focuses on contemporary art, early childhood education, and play across schools, museums, and public spaces. She has worked in the learning departments at international art museums, including Tate, the Serpentine, and the Ipswich Art Gallery, as well as serving on UNESCO's Advisory Committee for the Implementation Guidance of the Framework for Culture and Arts Education. Her forthcoming book, Every Child is an Artist: A Parent's Guide to Cultivating Children's Creativity Through Contemporary Art, will be released in 2026.

Louisa Penfold

The Arlo 168 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago

Arlo Hotel Chicago

Reserve Your Room: $149*

Includes: King bed, guest room Wi-Fi & access to the gym. Your hotel amenity fee will be waived.

*per night, plus tax. 

Reserve by Phone

Call (312) 346-1200 and mention the ISACS Workshop to request a room.

 Rate Availability

Rate is for the night of Thursday, April 30, 2026. This rate is available until Midnight CT on Thursday, April 9, 2026 or block reaches capacity.

 Other Room Types

If you would like to extend your dates or request a room with two beds, contact programinfo@isacs.org for assistance.

School Credit Cards
If your school plans to pay directly for your hotel with the school credit card, please contact karen@isacs.org several weeks before you arrival so your school representative can complete the hotel’s credit card authorization form to have charges billed to directly to the school’s credit card. 
 Cancellation Policy

Hotel cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to arrival to avoid one night room and tax charge.

 Directions & Parking

To park your car, head to the hotel loading zone at 171 N. Garland Ct

From the loading zone, you will see the Self Park Garage the Arlo has partnered with, located at 20 E. Randolph, where you can park your vehicle.

  • For in-and-out privileges, you will need to prepay online. The front desk agent will provide you with the necessary link when you enter the garage. The rate is $55 for 24hrs
  • If you do not need in-and-out privileges, simply retrieve a ticket from the garage, park your car, and bring the ticket to the front desk for validation. You will pay at the garage when you depart. The rate is $40 per 24hrs for up to 3 days 

There is no valet option at the hotel. Parking fees listed above are subject to change.

 Hotel Scam Alert

ISACS does not reach out to attendees or sponsors directly to book hotel rooms. If you receive calls or emails from third-party companies, we recommend you do not provide these solicitors with any personal information including, but not limited to, making new or changing existing reservations and do not provide your credit card. If you have any doubt about the information that you are receiving regarding any ISACS room blocks, please contact programinfo@isacs.org.

Registration Fee FAQs

$375 per person

$375 $275 for ISACS members

Register

  • Each attendee must enroll separately.
  • There is no group discount for this workshop.

Registration includes:

  Coffee & tea
  Continental Breakfast
  Lunch
  Refreshments

Workshop Testimonial

"OMG—Today felt like an 'academic' spa day: I felt valued and appreciated as an educator, the room was comfortable, the atmosphere supportive and chill. The food and snacks were amazing and plentiful. I will look to attend more ISACS workshops just to recapture this feeling—but I will know when I sign up that I will be learning important things to support my work." –Fall 2025 Workshop Attendee

Questions? Contact programinfo@isacs.org
ISACS may remove a registrant from an event if they do not follow the ISACS Policies & Disclaimers for Professional Learning Events.