Keeping the art classroom completely neat and orderly might be too arduous a task, but proper storage for student artwork is a good place to start. Not only will the organized artwork help to keep papers and projects from laying around the room, but it will also prevent potential damage from storing it out in the open. Read on and see some ideas for how to store your students’ artwork.
DIY Organizing Tips for Student Art Portfolios
Creating a student portfolio makes for quick and easy storage of current and completed art projects. It’s not realistic to hang every project, or to send them all home with students when completed. A portfolio is the perfect solution, allowing projects to be collected in one location. Here are two methods for creating a student portfolio that can be stored in an art dresser, or in a large storage tower. Take them off the drying rack and put them right in these clever storage solutions:
Poster paper portfolio:
Use two pieces of poster paper (at least 12”x18”) and duct tape. Stack two pieces and line 3 of the sides with the duct tape, creating a pocket with only one side open. This makes it easy to slide projects into the folder, and makes it more difficult for projects to fall out when being carried around.
Laminated paper portfolio:
If you want to create a more reusable version of the artwork portfolio, use construction paper (at least 12”x18”) and laminate the whole sheet. Then fold the sheet in half and you have a simple portfolio that can be abused a bit more than the average paper, and will help to organize student artwork.
Whichever method you choose for creating portfolios, it can be an opportunity for you or your art students to design their portfolios. Check out the fun tools available like Scotch Expressions masking tape, which can add a little personality to the exterior of the portfolio, but also won’t take away from its usability.
Student Artwork Organization Tools
Create the portfolios with organization in mind by designating each class or table a color or number. Do you see the same students multiple times per week? Only once? Keep this in mind and consider grouping portfolios by the day of the week. Not only will this help to keep projects and classes straight, but it will also help you to correct any issues with portfolios being placed in the wrong spot.
Storing the portfolios full of student art can be tricky too, if there’s nowhere to put them. Not every room has a storage/drying rack available, or shelving for easy artwork stacking, but there are other places you might not have considered.
Under Table Storage:
You might not have the floor space to add a new cabinet or storage solution, but using the space under tables or cabinets could be the answer. Consider creating your own shelves, or a pocket to mount under the tables, keeping portfolios tucked away, but off of the floor.
Top of Cabinet Storage:
Some art rooms just don’t have a bit of floor or cabinet space to spare. In these cases, it might be time to get out the step stool and create a giant portfolio to house each student group’s smaller portfolios. Keep them stacked on top of a cabinet and get each giant folder down when the corresponding artists arrive.
Art Classroom Storage Solutions
If you think it might be time to invest in a piece of furniture made to store artwork, there are lots of options available at School Specialty. Check out the art storage inventory and choose the option that fits your students, projects, and classroom.
