DMPS art curriculum coordinator brings student creations to Mainframe

4/2/2025

Kathleen Davenport has experienced quite the rise in her 10 years of employment at Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). She was an art teacher at Howe Elementary, Madison Elementary and Findley Elementary, then added arts integration coach to her title, and, since 2020, has been the art curriculum coordinator at DMPS.

“Those first couple years were wild for us just trying to react to COVID and move lots of art content online so that kids could still get access to arts classes while they were at home learning. It’s been a wild four years,” Davenport said.

Davenport had an interest in the arts at a young age. She says, if you wanted to work with art for a career, there were only a few options that felt attainable: be a starving artist, be an art teacher, or become a graphic designer. Now, with several years involved in professional arts, she is able to show DMPS students there are more than just those options as it pertains to being a professional artist.

“I’m glad our students now have access to lots of examples of what artists can do,” Davenport said.

Davenport was steered in the direction of teaching by one of her high school teachers. It is a choice she says she does not regret. She is now in a position where she can help dictate what art is taught to students. With art being a fluid subject, it was important to Davenport that teachers around the district have some free will.

“We base all of our things off of the National Art standards. But we also know there’s a limited amount of time that kids get access to art classes, especially in elementary and middle school. It’s called a flex curriculum, so teachers can pick and choose. We want students to have a cohesive experience regardless of what zip code they’re in, but also have some choice and autonomy for their projects,” Davenport said.

Art projects from elementary schools to high schools were on display at Mainframe Studios on March 7 for the building’s First Friday event. This is not the first time for a district-wide art gallery, but Davenport is behind a lot of the Xs and Os in getting it set up.

The art show was at Franklin Junior High the year before the pandemic. While Davenport loved the venue, she wanted to find a new location that had more foot traffic, giving the student artists more exposure. The first year at Mainframe, the exhibit was on the first floor for a few days. Now, student artwork takes over the entire building for weeks.

“There’s a ton of foot traffic here, and there are artists here. It’s a great way to connect with the community, local artists. And then, March worked out really well because it’s also spring break. And, oftentimes, families are looking for things to keep their kids busy over that week. What a great opportunity to come for free, take a look around and look at the artwork,” Davenport said.

To help teachers prepare for the showcase, the district provides matboards for student artwork ahead of time. With the date planned far in advance, it allows teachers to plan backwards and make sure the student art projects are completed in time for teachers to get their boards together.

The event proved to be a success for Davenport and the students.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our students and families to connect with community artists, connect with the art teachers, which is so cool to see the students’ art right here, where they could potentially have spaces in this building one day. To be able to connect with working artists in this way is such a cool opportunity for them to be like, ‘Oh, I can see myself in this space. I can see myself making art and making a living making art.’ It’s just provided so many wins,” Davenport said.

Aside from being able to view the various styles and artwork by student artists, Davenport said seeing the joy on the students’ faces is even better.

“Seeing the students come dressed to the nines, wearing their best-in-show outfit. That moment when they turn the corner, see their art on the board, they’re so excited,” Davenport said.

She says it’s also a chance to see the quieter students have a chance to show another side of themselves.

“A lot of students that connect with the arts and find that as the way to express themselves aren’t going to be the loudest ones in class. Being able to see those students who fall in the background a little bit, be able to be elevated and celebrated for their creativity, is such a cool thing to see,” Davenport said. ♦