Contemporary Art Start (CAS) FAQs

When is the registration deadline?

How much does it cost?

Who is eligible to apply?

Which track should I sign up for?

What are the summer training dates?

What are the program requirements?

● We ask that:

○ 3rd-5th grade teachers enroll in pairs

○ Secondary teachers enroll in groups of 2-5 that include an art teacher

● What if I cannot find an art teacher to join my group?

○ We highly encourage art teachers to be a part of CAS school cadres, but understand if that is not a possibility. We will not prohibit teams that are unable to include an art teacher

● Educators must attend all professional development sessions in order to bring students to MOCA:

○ 1st year participants: four-day Summer Institute + one half-day Pre-Visit Workshop each semester

○ Returning participant: one half-day Reboot Workshop + one Pre-Visit Workshop each semester (once in the fall and once in the spring)

○ Principal or key administrator must attend a one-hour orientation if they haven’t done so in the last two years

What does CAS training consist of? Is it effective?

We specialize in coaching teachers to use Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a highly-tested, inquiry-based teaching method that can be put to use immediately. Each year we evaluate how students and teachers grow as a result of using VTS, using pre- and post-program assessments. The following statistics show the percentage increase of teachers and students who either ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the following statements for the 2026-2027 school year:

● Teachers

○ I describe my teaching as learner-centered > +31%

○ I am able to consistently include English language learners in discussions > +38%

○ I feel confident and effective using inquiry-based teaching approaches > +66.4%

○ I am able to lead inclusive discussions where all voices are valued equally > +67.7%

○ I engage in personally meaningful experiences with contemporary art > +118.3%

○ Students in my class(es) have meaningful experiences with contemporary art > +374.4%

○ I use VTS to teach in other subjects > +86.2%

● Students

○ I feel comfortable at museums > +11.5%

○ I like looking at art > +24.3%

○ I like thinking about art > +28.5%

○ I feel good talking about art > +51%

○ I like to write about art > +52.6%

○ I am open to hearing opinions that are different from my own > +56.4%

○ I feel good saying what I think about art > +76.7%

○ My opinions about art are important > +88.9%

○ I have a lot to say about art > +91.1%

○ I can back up my ideas with evidence > +113%

How do tours work?

● In-Person:

○ Our MOCA Educator-led tours occur at 11am and 12:15pm Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the fall and spring semesters. Groups of up to sixty students visit the museum to be led on an hour-long VTS tour. For a further breakdown of pre-tour and day-of logistics, please feel free to take a look at our in-person pre-tour FAQs

○ Note that museum tours are only for students whose teachers are enrolled in CAS; additional classes should not join the field trip

● Virtual:

○ Our educator-led virtual tours occur at 11am and 12:15pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please take a look at out virtual pre-tour checklist and FAQs

What is the museum experience like for children?

● Two tours in small groups to encourage participation

○ Students are placed in groups no larger than 10 for discussion-based tour experiences utilizing the Visual Thinking Strategies teaching approach. Each group is led by 1-2 MOCA Educators. We also ask that 1 chaperone accompanies each group

○ MOCA Educators are also able to provide bilingual (Spanish/English) tours for a group of up to 10 students or a Spanish tour for two groups of 10 students

● Lifelong family pass

○ Each student who comes on a tour receives a MOCA Family Pass that is good for life–as long as they hold on to the pass. They are able to visit either of our locations–for free if there is a specially ticketed exhibition–with up to 5 additional guests

● Other museum programming

○ CAS students are invited, through nominations by participating teachers, to be a part of Student Art Connection. For this annual public event, 4th-12th grade students are specially trained to hold conversations and lead a hands-on activity in the galleries for an hour-long shift!

○ Visiting students are also always informed about upcoming programs at the museum, like our quarterly Sunday Studio programs or MOCA Teen Night

How does transportation work?

I participated in CAS before. Do I need to attend the 4-day Summer Institute?

If you participated in CAS fewer than three years ago (beginning in 2020 or later), you do not have to attend the Summer Institute. We ask teachers to re-do the Summer Institute if they have not been in the program for more than three years because the program continuously changes over time–teachers who rejoin after awhile away from MOCA will need more than a one-day Reboot Workshop experience. We are thrilled when teachers return!

Can I get professional development credit from my district?

Do I get a museum membership?

What ifs?

● We ask that program participants attend all training sessions in order to bring their students on tours throughout the year. We also understand that our participants are more than teachers; they are parents, siblings, leaders, and members of worldwide communities

● If you find yourself unable to attend a mandatory professional development session, please reach out to us so we can work with you! We understand that special circumstances may arise and can occasionally make exceptions to these program requirements. Our goal is to ensure equity amongst all CAS participants and provide the best possible experience for all CAS students