Nik Ridley

Nik RidleyNik RidleyNik Ridley

Nik Ridley

Nik RidleyNik RidleyNik Ridley
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CV/RESUME

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• B.A. Studio Arts & Technology (in progress; expected May 2026)

Kennedy Center Arts Integration Method
• Training obtained via Arizona State University Gammage Teaching Artist Program (2nd cohort)



PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE


STEAMESA — Founder & Curriculum Director  Phoenix, AZ  2021–Present

  • Created and Oversee an arts-integrated STEAM microschool (grades 4–8), aligning all curricula to Arizona & Common Core standards
  • Developed FlexCredits™ program: live and online masterclasses (AI in Education series: ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek)


Teaching Artist & Consultant  Multiple Institutions  2003–Present

Consulted for Focus5 Arts Integration, Inc. (2021–24) and City of Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture (2021–Present)


Designed and delivered arts-integration workshops for K–12 and community organizations, including:


• Imagine Avondale Charter School (2025)
• Fresno Unified School District (2021–23)
• Pan American Charter School (2022)
• South Pointe Elementary School (2019–20)
• Denver Public Schools (2003)

Masterclass Instructor  Phoenix Art Museum, ASU Gammage, U Arizona School of Medicine  2016–Present

Delivered “Arts Integration in Practice” masterclass (Phoenix Art Museum, 2024)

Led AI-in-Education series for educators and parents (2025)

Independent Exhibiting Artist  Nationwide  2004–Present

Solo and juried shows at: Mesa Arts Center; West Valley Arts Council; Brophy College Prep; ASU Center for Mindfulness

Created site-specific AR/VR installations for City of Mesa Prototype Project and upcoming OPUS 2025 exhibition

Leadership & Management

Director, Arizona Center Gallery No. 4 (2022–2024)

Manager, Phoenix Center for the Arts Thunderbird Campus (2019–22)

Asst. Education Director, Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance Company (2006)

GRANTS & RECOGNITION

ASU Gammage Teaching Artist Program (2nd cohort) (2020)

AZ Commission on the Arts Grantee (2020–23)

Phoenix Center for the Arts Fellowship (2022)

Arts & Venues Denver (2014)

AmeriCorps Alumni, Imago Dei Middle School (2024)

Civic Canopy / Kaiser Permanente (2016)

PUBLICATIONS & CREATIVE PROJECTS

Art:Educated (Producer, 2016)

NE Denver GoWell Mobile App (Designer/Illustrator, 2016)

SKILLS

Artistic Practice – modern mixed media (acrylic and collage focus) | large-scale installations | exhibition curation | AI-assisted art

Education & Integration – trained in Kennedy Center arts integration method (ASU Gammage Teaching Artist Program, 2nd cohort) | curriculum design | masterclass facilitation | project-based learning

Technical – ChatGPT | Google Gemini | Adobe Suite | Google Workspace | Zoom/Meet | Acuity | Podia | Canva | Figma

Leadership – grant writing | institutional partnerships | program management | community engagement

TEACHING STATEMENT

Teaching Philosophy
I believe art is a catalyst for critical thinking and interdisciplinary exploration. By integrating arts processes with STEM frameworks (the STEAM approach), learners gain deeper conceptual understanding, enhanced problem-solving skills, and lasting engagement.

Having guided over 3000 participants in residencies and masterclasses, I’ve seen measurable improvements in skill acquisition and confidence. At Purdue, I aim to collaborate on curriculum development, assist in studio and digital media courses, and mentor peer instructors in fostering inclusive, interdisciplinary learning spaces.

Project-Based Learning: Students tackle real-world challenges through arts-integrated activities and projects.

Arts Integration: Grounded in the Kennedy Center method, I marry content objectives with creative practice, ensuring art functions as both subject and pedagogy.

Technology-Enhanced Creativity: I incorporate AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) to personalize learning—guiding prompt-driven reflection and digital prototyping.

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

Purdue University, B.A. Studio Arts & Technology (in progress; Dec 2025)

Kennedy Center Arts Integration Method Certification

KEY APPOINTMENTS

Founder & Curriculum Director, STEAMESA | 2021–Present

Teaching Artist & Consultant, Kennedy Center; Arizona Center; City of Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture | 2003–Present

Masterclass Instructor, Arizona Commission on the Arts; Phoenix Art Museum; ASU Gammage; U of Arizona Medical School | 2022 - current

EXHIBITIONS

Solo: U of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona State University Gammage, Mesa Arts Center; Estrella College, West Valley Arts Council; Brophy College Prep; ASU Center for Mindfulness, Phoenix Center for the Arts

AR/VR Installations: OPUS 2025 (in development)

GRANTS & HONORS

AZ Commission on the Arts Grantee (2020–23)

Phoenix Center for the Arts Fellowship (2022)

Arts & Venues Denver: FETE Caribbean Art & Food Festival Grantee (2014)

AmeriCorps Alumni, Imago Dei Middle School (2024)

Civic Canopy / Kaiser Permanente (2016)

PUBLICATIONS & PROJECTS

Love Is Active: A Small Guide to Save Your Mind (Author, 2017)

Art:Educated (Producer, 2016)

NE Denver GoWell Mobile App (Designer/Illustrator, 2016)

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Director, Arizona Center Gallery No. 4 (2022)

Manager, Phoenix Center for the Arts Thunderbird Campus (2019–22)

Asst. Education Director, Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance Company (2006)

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