Welcome!
Welcome to the educational branch of Flaherty Arts & Consulting. We are dedicated to making arts and technology accessible through our straightforward approach, compassionate culture, and commitment to setting our clients up for success . This page will include resource materials, lesson plans, and other information dedicated to serve the schools that are looking to augment Professional Development training through arts and technology. Using digital fabrication as a platform for training, our courses provide experiential learning in the arts while incorporating themes of disability and social equality. Scroll down to view the different courses we offer.
COURES
Our Course Offerings
Disability Awareness and Justice in the Schools
6 hours
A two-day workshop on Disability Awareness and Justice in the K-12 setting. Topics covered: medical and social models of disability, identifying areas in your school that need disability assessment, how to have a truly inclusive classroom, how to approach your administrators about disability equality
Introduction to Digital Fabrication
6 hours
This 6 hour workshop will introduce Digital Fabrication and Maker Culture to educators. Topics included: how to create a sustainable makerspace at your school and how to have a makerspace in the academic classroom, OSHA standards
We Have A Makerspace! Now what?
15 hours
This workshop is for educators with access to makerspaces in their schools. We will discuss the cultural implications of makerspaces in schools, how to develop your own makerspace curriculum, OSHA requirements, and familiarize ourselves with the rapidly changing and readily available hardwares and softwares. We will be execute actual student projects to gain on hands training and development.
Introduction to Digital Fabrication: 3D Modeling and Printing
15 hours
This course will introduce the concepts of 3D Modeling and Printing using Tinkercad and offer guided, step-by-step instructions to the first 30 lessons of Tinkercad. This course will culminate with participation in the American Sign Language Tinkercad Project
Advanced Digital Fabrication: 3D Modeling and Printing
15 hours
Pre requisite: Introduction to Digital Fabrication. This course will provide guidance for independent case studies using 3D modeling and printing. Participants will be required to research a project, create a proposal, execute their idea through 3D printing and modeling.
Introduction to Digital Fabrication: Using a laser cutter/engraver
15 hours
This course will introduce the concepts of vector imaging vs raster imaging and how it relates to laser cutting technology. We will discuss and critique real world projects and OSHA standards and procedures for using this machine. Students will produce a completed projects, beginner level project with a laser cutter
Advanced Digital Fabrication: Laser Cutter
15 hours
Pre requisite: Introduction to Digital Fabrication. This course will provide guidance for independent case studies using laser cutting and engraving .Participants will be required to research a project, create a proposal, execute their idea through 3D printing and modeling.
Social Justice in the Digital Fabrication World
6 hours
With the rapid development of every aspect of technology, how do we make sure that social justice initiatives are included in these developments. We will discuss aesthetics of technology, access, and biases in new and up and coming technology
About US
Our Story
Since 2016, Flaherty Arts and Consulting has been a Pittsburgh leader in the field of arts and education, providing the region with access to arts and education through digital fabrication. Using social and disability justice as the foundation for creating and teaching art, we have partnered with many organizations such as the Office of Public Art in Pittsburgh, The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, City of Asylum, Creative Citizens Studio, The Heinz Endowment, Opportunity Fund Pittsburgh, The Warhol Museum, and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Say
The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) has partnered with Ms. Flaherty for the past eight years in building a digital fabrication program, literally “from the ground up!” She has been instrumental in providing expertise in instruction and consultation in hardware, software, 3-D scanning and printing, laser cutting, and various applications in engineering and art. Her applications not only address the prescribed curriculum, but also the“unwritten curriculum” of cultural competencies. She has been a multifaceted benefit to WPSD, its students and staff!
Marybeth Lauderdale
Chief Engagement & Collaboration Officer, Western PA School for the Deaf
Fran Flaherty has become pivotal in the development and evolution of arts-based programming at The Woodlands Foundation. Ms. Flaherty’s influence as a Disabled artist, educator, and social justice advocate is felt in every aspect of the partnership and curriculum. She is a true visionary who believes in challenging the expectations of both audience and artist alike. We are fortunate to count her among our closest collaborators at The Woodlands as we continue to uplift and support the creative expression of our community!
Kristen Link
Director of Music and Art, The Woodlands Foundation