Dan Slagter

About Daniel

Having been an Interlochen Arts Camp Cabin Counselor back in 2001, coming back in 2022 as faculty in Visual Arts was a homecoming.

Slagter trained with and was an educator through Very Special Arts International previously. His expertise in teaching students with special needs shows in his ability to bring out the voice of any artist of any ability level. Slagter has worked exclusively with inner-city students throughout his career and this speaks to his belief that through the power of art we can achieve anything with a little grit and determination.

Slagter is also an LGBTQ+ and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Education Facilitator with Michigan Education Association. Slagter previously served on the Michigan Department of Education Workforce Diversity Committee.

Slagter has been engaging young people in Grand Rapids Public Schools since 2003.

Current artistic inspiration comes from the concept of identities of self and others in relation to each other.

Currently, Slagter has a painting at the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center's show "The LGBTQ+ Artist in Michigan" through June 29, 2023.

I believe a holistic education for all students should include instruction in visual art. Through my own experiences, I've realized that the arts help students develop their decision-making and problem-solving skills. Like nowhere else, there is a sense of worth and accomplishment in the arts. The arts promote a feeling of personal identity, which in turn aids a student's personal growth.