Art Projects vs. the Creative Process: What’s the Real Difference for Kids?
I once watched a second grader make a papier-mâché cat with a perfectly symmetrical face, careful whiskers, and not a drop of glue on her clothes. Right next to her, another kid was elbow-deep in newspaper strips, talking about how her cat might also be a witch, or a bus driver, or maybe both?
Guess which one was in the middle of a creative process?
This little moment reminded me how important it is—especially for those of us knee-deep in arts integration or teaching artistry—to understand the difference between participating in an art form and engaging in a creative process. Both are valuable. But they’re not the same thing. And if we want our students to build authentic artistic habits and juicy, transferable learning skills, we’ve got to get comfortable pushing past the performance.
Let’s break it down.
A vibrant sky scene that reminds us art can be both structured and wildly imaginative.
🎭 Engaging in an Art Form: It's About the What
This is your “learn the steps and do the thing” kind of engagement. It’s structured. It’s often about technique, form, and repetition. And hey—it’s not bad! It’s just more focused on execution than exploration.
Here’s what that might look like:
● Singing a song back just the way it was taught
● Recreating a painting using step-by-step instructions (hello, cookie-cutter snowmen!)
● Painting a mural where every student fills in a pre-drawn section—like human paintbrushes for the teacher’s big idea
● Performing a play or monologue word-for-word with assigned blocking
● Dancing someone else’s choreography without changing a move
There’s value in this. Students learn how materials work, how to follow directions, and how to control their tools. It’s like learning to make spaghetti from a box. Helpful? Sure. But not exactly chef vibes, if you know what I mean.
🌀 Engaging in a Creative Process: It's About the Why
This is the juicy stuff. The mess, the spark, the part where students are thinking and deciding—not just copying. It’s the part where an artist experiments, revises, and reflects.
Examples of this kind of engagement:
● Writing new lyrics after studying a protest song
● Creating a dance based on how a butterfly moves through its life stages
● Inventing a character and improvising dialogue with classmates
● Using different mark-making techniques to express an emotion visually
● Designing a collaborative mural where students help develop the theme, sketches, and symbolism
When students engage in process, they’re asking:
🔍 Why did I make that choice?
🔧 What happens if I change it?
🌀 How else could I say this?
They’re not just making art. They’re thinking like artists.
🧠 Why It Matters—Like, A Lot
Arts integration isn't just about slapping a bit of watercolor on a science concept. (Though if you’ve ever painted photosynthesis in neon tempera, no judgment—I’ve been there too.)
The real goal is to help students develop a way of thinking that’s artistic. That means:
● Metacognition – thinking about how they’re thinking
● Resilience – sticking with something through mistakes and changes
● Empathy – seeing from another perspective through character, story, or symbol
● Problem-Solving – because let’s be real, art is basically problem-solving with glitter
This kind of learning sticks. It transfers. And it grows with them.
🌱 Final Thoughts for Teaching Artists & Creative Educators
You’re not just a facilitator of art activities. You’re a guide into the world of possibility.
So yes, let them learn the art forms—singing, dancing, drawing, acting. But don’t stop there. Open the door to the creative process. Ask questions. Give space. Embrace the weird and wonderful ideas that come from not knowing exactly what the end product will be.
Because that’s where the magic happens.
📌 Related Lessons That Invite Creative Thinking:
● How to Make Animal Masks with Plaster Wrap – sticky, squishy, and full of student voice
● Peter Rabbit Monoprints – great for exploring texture and variation
● Simple Cow Drawings Inspired by Garrett May – a process-based twist on animal drawing
💌 Want more creative process lessons that actually work in real classrooms?
Sign up for the Party in the Art Room newsletter and get fresh, fun, practical ideas delivered right to your inbox—glitter not included (but strongly encouraged).
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Inside this free PDF, you'll find a treasure trove of van Gogh's self-portraits, each capturing the essence of the artist's unique style and introspection. From his early works to his later masterpieces, this collection showcases the evolution of van Gogh's self-representation throughout his remarkable career.
As students pair the self-portraits, they will develop visual recognition skills, explore color and brushstroke techniques, and gain a deeper understanding of van Gogh's artistic journey.
Check out discounts, deals, and recommendations on all our artsy faves!
Affiliate Disclosure: Party in the Art Room is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on this site, a commission may be earned.
Get to know Amanda Koonlaba!
Hi! I’m Amanda. Teaching children to be creative thinkers is my greatest joy. I’m here to help you bring that same joy to your classroom.
This guide is packed with 25 ideas for using art to teach math and ELA. It’s arts integration for the win!
I want all students to feel successful in the art room, so I created a standards-based Daffodil Collage lesson to do just that! The lesson includes an artist study, student reflection, and more, so push your artists to their full potential.
