Igniting Student Creativity Through Virtual Art Lessons with Adobe and TIME for Kids

New video series premieres today, and will then air on Thursdays at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST on the Adobe Distance Learning Hub, TIME and TIME for Kids’ digital social platforms.

With schools having shifted to remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, students and parents are adjusting to a new reality—many students are homeschooled for the first time and crave new ways to express their creative energy now that traditional outlets, such as in-person art classes, are no longer accessible.

In these unprecedented times while we’re physically apart, we may have something to gain from uncovering new ways to learn and express ourselves, digitally, together.

Creative collaboration is one of the greatest tools at our disposal to process and grow through the uncertainty around us. This is just one of the reasons Adobe is excited to announce the launch of a new weekly interactive video series, “Draw with Drew (and Rosie!),” in partnership with TIME for Kids, the school-based publication that has provided quality, trusted journalism to millions of students in elementary classrooms for 25 years.

“At Adobe, we believe that everyone has a story to tell, and our mission is to enable creativity for all,” said Mala Sharma, VP & General Manager, Creative Cloud Product Marketing. “Even though going to school has taken on a whole new meaning right now, it does not mean that creativity needs to stop for students. Our partnership with TIME for Kids is providing children with inspiration and a much-needed outlet for creative expression, which I hope will allow them to approach problem-solving in new ways, discover new thought processes and dream bigger than ever before.”

In the 8-week video series, host Drew Willis, creative director of TIME for Kids, will provide free art instruction for children who are adjusting to school closures. Drew will also be joined by his co-host, Rosie, ten-year-old daughter of Andrea Delbanco, Editor-in-Chief of TIME for Kids, for the virtual art lesson. A longtime Adobe fan, Drew will use digital tools such as Fresco and Photoshop on his tablet to create elaborate artwork, and Rosie will use physical media, including pen and paper, crayons and pencils.

Rosie and Drew have been exchanging their drawings for years and their friendship ultimately inspired the launch of the video program.

Each episode will feature a new drawing assignment, and participants will be able to vote on what they would like the next assignment to be. As Rosie and Drew sharpen their skills and acquire new techniques from one another, participants are encouraged to draw along and share their work with TIME for Kids for the chance to be named a TIME for Kids Art Director of the Week. They may even have their creation featured in a special issue of the publication, which will be available for free in the TIME for Kids digital library.

As the Creativity Partner for TIME for Kids’ “Draw with Drew (and Rosie!),” Adobe will provide inspiration and show creative ways of using Adobe Spark for free and create a digital art portfolio to enable kids to showcase their art and easily share it with their friends and family. Additionally, for a limited time, many students can obtain free “at-home” access to Creative Cloud and can download and use the same apps that Drew uses, including Fresco, to make their creations. And finally, in addition to accessing the video series through the Adobe Distance Learning Hub (young learners’ section), teachers and parents supporting young learners at home can use this great resource to uncover activities, lessons and advice.

“Draw with Drew (And Rosie!)” not only aims to inspire those who are learning to draw, but hopes to support those who may be missing their peers and traditional creative outlets, along with those who could use a way to process the life-altering impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

For more details and to view the first episode of “Draw with Drew (and Rosie!),” visit: time.com/drawwithdrew.