Quest for Creativity: Gamifying the Art Curriculum with AI
This presentation explores how artificial intelligence can be used as a creative partner in developing a gamified elementary art curriculum. Drawing on the world of fantasy role-playing games, I designed a series of “realms” where students embark on artistic quests, earn badges, and face boss battles that challenge their creativity. AI tools supported the design process by generating visual assets, crafting lore, and streamlining lesson planning, allowing me to focus on pedagogy and student engagement.
The result is a classroom experience where traditional drawing and painting skills are taught through a narrative adventure that excites students and fosters intrinsic motivation. I will share the workflow for collaborating with AI, examples of classroom materials, and reflections on how this approach balances technology with hands-on art making.
This project demonstrates how AI can expand the teacher’s creative toolkit, making learning more immersive while preserving the heart of art education: imagination, expression, and play.
Facilitated By
Scott Baldwin
Elementary Art Teacher, American Community School of Abu Dhabi
Scott Baldwin is both an artist and art educator with over 10 years of experience. Classically trained in art, he believes deeply in the value of traditional art making methods, even as he explores new ways to engage students through technology. His artistic journey began with pop culture–inspired works and has expanded into explorations of myth and culture. As an educator, he developed a gamified art curriculum that transforms lessons into immersive quests, using AI as a creative partner to generate lore, visuals, and classroom materials while keeping hands-on creativity at the center
