I teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in curriculum development and the instruction of visual art. I also teach graduate seminars and workshops on a range of topics, including: the history of art education, art education for the 21st century, issues regarding use of popular culture in art and social studies curricula, and dealing with difficult issues in the classroom.

My research focuses on the role of aesthetic experience in learning. I have used case study approaches when examining how grieving individuals learn and grow through aesthetic encounters with art and metaphor. I have also used both qualitative and ethnographic strategies in studies of the aesthetic attitudes and art-making practices of artists and craftspersons in discrete rural and inner-city communities. My current research explores the real life and online art-making expressions (fan art and cosplay) of youth, who are participants of fandom communities, with special focus on how art is taught and learned in the situated environment of the online fandom.

I am active in state, national, and international professional art educational organizations, including National Art Education Association (NAEA), the United States Society for Education Through the Arts (USSEA), and the International Society for Education through the Arts (InSEA). I currently serve as President of USSEA and a North American World Councilor to InSEA.

Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Art Education, Indiana University, 1999.

M.A. Art Education. Herron School of Art, Indiana University. Indianapolis, 1989.

B. A. Fine Art, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1968 

• Manifold, M. C. (2009). Fanart as craft and creation of culture: Considering the role of art education. International Journal of Education Through Art, 5 (1), 7-21.
• Manifold, M. C. (2009). From all my teachers I grew wise. In Sabol, R.; & Manifold, M. (Eds.). Through the prism: Looking into the spectrum of writings by Enid Zimmerman. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
• Manifold, M. C.; & Sabol, R. (2009). An open discussion with Enid Zimmerman. In Sabol, F. R.; & Manifold, M. (Eds.). Through the prism: Looking into the spectrum of writings by Enid Zimmerman. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
• Manifold, M. C. (2009) What Art Educators Can Learn from the, Fan-based Art Making of Adolescents and Young Adults. Studies in Art Education, 50 (3). 257-271.
• Sabol, R., & Manifold, M. C. (Eds.). (2009). Through the prism: Looking into the spectrum of writings by Enid Zimmerman. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
• Manifold, M. C. (2009). “If no one knew me”: Envisioning invisible cultures. In R. Sabol & M. C. Manifold (Eds.). Through the prism: Looking into the spectrum of writings by Enid Zimmerman. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Cosplay. In R. Reid, (Ed.), Women in science fiction and fantasy: An encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
• Manifold, M. C.; & Zimmerman, E (Eds.). (2008) InSEA Online Newsletter, 1 (2). Available online at: http://www.insea.org. 
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Adolescents and the creation of culture: Challenging the role of art education. In M. Toku (Ed.), Children's Minds and Society: Tradition and Innovation in Visual Culture. Collected papers 32nd InSEA Congress, August 4-9, 2008. Osaka, Japan: International Society for Education Through Art.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Spontaneous, fan-based art making of contemporary adolescents and young adults in local and global contexts. Collected papers 32nd InSEA Congress, August 4-9, 2008. Osaka, Japan: International Society for Education Through Art.
• Manifold, M. C. (in press). Creating parallel global cultures: The art-making of fans in fandom communities. In E. Delacruz and A. Arnold (Eds.) Globalization, art, and education. Champaign, IL: United States Society for Education Through Art.
• Manifold, M. C.; & Zimmerman, E (Eds.). (2008) InSEA Online Newsletter, 1 (1). Available online at: http://www.insea.org.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). When wands become brushes: Painting the magical real. The Phoenix Rising Compendium: Collected papers on Harry Potter 17-21 May 2007, pp. 520-532. Morrisville, NC: Narrate Conferences.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Learning art and art making through strands with Tips for Teachers. Bloomington, IN: ClassPak. 
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Exploring traditional costumes. Teaching Voices, 30 (1) 8.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Report from crossing borders: Understanding cultures through the arts research and general conferences in Seoul, Korea. August 21-23, 2007. USSEA Newsletter 30 (1), 6-7.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Aesthetic expression, Harry Potter, Info-Age youth and the theater of life, pp. 160-174. In H. Tibbitts (Ed.), The Witching Hour: A Magical Compendium. Philadelphia, PA: HP Educational Fanon Inc. .
• Clark, G., Manifold, M. C., & Zimmerman, E. (2007). Artistically talented children in rural areas. Gifted Education International, 23 (3). 319-329.
• Lackey, L.; Manifold, M.; & Zimmerman, E. (2007). Elementary majors’ resistance to art methods courses: Exploring issues of gender, class, and civility. Visual Culture & Gender Journal, 2. http://explorations.sva.psu.edu/VCG/.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Culture convergence or divergence? Spontaneous art-making and participatory expression in the private and collective lives of youth. In J. A. Park (Ed.), Art education as critical cultural inquiry. Seoul, Korea: MijiNSA.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). A 21st century global aesthetic - neo-teatrum mundi: With implications for art education. General Conference Proceedings. Crossing Borders: Understanding Cultures through the Arts. Seoul, Korea: InSEA Asia Regional Congress, Seoul, Korea.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Thinking about assessment: Creativity and originality, NAEA Advisory. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Thinking about assessment: The hidden curriculum. NAEA Advisory. Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). The healing picture book: An aesthetic of sorrow. Teacher Librarian 34 (3), 20-26.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Learning from the inside out: A professional development workshop in using art to deal with difficult issues in the classroom. International Journal of Arts Education 4 (2), 105-135.
• Manifold, M. C. (in press). Expressions of Harry Potter fan-art and cosplay: A Postmodern baccanalia. In J. Glaubman (Ed.), Reconsidering Harry: Harry Potter fan fiction on the World Wide Web. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2006). Teaching Voices, 29 (2). Bloomington, IN: United States Society for Education in the Arts.
• Manifold, M. C. (2006). Deep time: A cultural calendar extension. Teaching Voices, 29 (2). v9.
• Manifold, M. C. (2006). Using picture books as resources for teaching children of multi-cultures. Teaching Voices, 29 (2). v6.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed). (2006). USSEA Newsletter, 29 (2). Bloomington, IN: United States Society for Education in the Arts
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2006). Teaching Voices, 29 (1). Bloomington, IN: United States Society for Education in the Arts.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.). (2006). The Zimmerpapers, 1 (1). Bloomington, IN: Art Education, School of Education.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.). (2006). USSEA Newsletter, 29 (1). Bloomington, IN: United States Society for Education in the Arts
• Chen. J., Lee, C., Manifold, M. C., & Wang, L. (2006). Fantasy play, aesthetics, and collective identity: A critical reflection of animé/manga fandom. Interdisciplinary Dialogues in Arts Education. International InSEA Congress 2006, http://www.insea.org/. Viseu, Portugal, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu. [CD-Rom]
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Playing on deep water: Finding metaphors of self in art. Journal of Visual Arts Research, 31 (2). 57-67.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2005). Teaching Voices, 28 (2).
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2005). USSEA: The Newsletter of the United States for Education Through Art, 28 (2).
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Life as theater-theater as life: Spontaneous expressions of Information-Age youth. The Journal of Cultural Research, 23, 1-16.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Learning from aesthetic experiences of tumult. The International Journal of Arts Education, 3 (1), 105-135.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Reconsidering the images of the other. Teaching Voices, 28 (1), 1v.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Aladdin and the wonderful lamp book illustration: A lesson plan. Teaching Voices, 28 (1), 3v-4v.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). A medieval banquet in Alhambra palace: A teaching resource. Teaching Voices, 28 (1), 4v.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Thinking about art and ecology. Teaching Voices, 28 (2), 10v.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2005). Teaching Voices, 28 (1).
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2005). USSEA: The Newsletter of the United States for Education Through Art, 28 (1).
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Classroom use. Arts & Activities 135, (5). 38.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Clip & save art notes: Stan Herd. Arts & Activities, 135 (5). 42.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Classroom use. Arts & Activities, 135 (4). 25.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Clip & save art notes: H. C. Westermann. Arts & Activities, 135, (4), 28.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Classroom use. Arts & Activities, 135 (3). 37.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Clip & save art notes: Jin-shiow Chen. Arts & Activities, 135, (3). 40.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). In a bishonen boarding house: Time, space and the social dimensions of an Info-Age aesthetic. In G. Diaz and M. McKenna (Eds.), Teaching for Aesthetic Experience: The Art of Learning. pp 63-84. Cambridge, MA: Peter Lang Publishing.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). Imaged voices-envisioned landscapes: Storylines of Information-Age girls and young women. The Journal of Social Theory in Art Education, 24, 234-256.
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2004). USSEA: The Newsletter of the United States for Education Through Art, 27 (2).
• Manifold, M. C. (Ed.) (2004). USSEA: Teaching Voices, 27 (2).

• Manifold, M. C., & Zimmerman, E. (2009). A Leadership Model for Creating Positive Attitudes Toward Art Methods Classes for Pre-Service Elementary Education Majors . Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association (NAEA). Minneapolis, MN.
• Manifold, M. C. (2009). Waking Up in a Digital World: Strategies for Inviting Global Art Learning Through Interactive Technologies. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Minneapolis, MN. 
• Gatlin, L.; Manifold, M. C. (2008). Who's missing from the high school art class? Paper presented at the Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI) Annual Conference, French Lick. 
• Hsu, P. (2008). Learning through art pods. Paper presented at the Art Education Association Indiana (AEAI) Annual Conference. French Lick. 
• Manifold, M. C.; & Yi, X. (2008). Lessons in moral art from ancient and modern China. Paper presented at the Art Education Association Indiana (AEAI) Annual Conference, French Lick. 
• Manifold, M. C. (2008). Stories of folk artists in real and cyber space. Paper presented at the Southeastern College Art Conference. New Orleans. 
• Manifold, M. C. (2008, August). Children's minds and society: Tradition and innovation in visual culture. Keynote Address at the 32nd InSEA World Congress, Osaka, Japan.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008, August). The spontaneous, fan-based art making of contemporary adolescents and young adults in local and global contexts. Paper presented at the 32nd InSEA World Congress, Osaka, Japan.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008, August). Fanart and cosplay: Escapism or a healing aesthetic? Paper presented at Terminus-Harry Potter Conference. Narrate Conference, Chicago.
• Manifold, M. C. (2008, August). Harry the hero: An archetype for real 21st-Century heroes. Paper presented at Terminus- Harry Potter Conference. Narrate Conference. Chicago.
• Clark, G.; Manifold, M. C.; & Zimmerman, E. (2008, March). Community-based strategies for art students in real and virtual communities. Paper presented at the National Art Education (NAEA) National Convention, New Orleans.
• Gatlin, L.; & Manifold, M. C. (2008, March). Who’s missing from the high school art class? Paper presented at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention, New Orleans.
• Sabol, F. R.; & Manifold, M. C. (2008, March). Through the prism: Looking at the spectrum of writing by Enid Zimmerman. Panel presented at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention, New Orleans.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Art in the digital age. Paper presented at the Art Education Association Indiana (AEAI) Annual Conference, Indianapolis.
• Sabol, R.; & Manifold, M. C. (2007). Through the prism: The contributions to art education of Enid Zimmerman. Panel presentation at the Art Education Association Indiana (AEAI) Annual Conference, Indianapolis.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Culture convergence or divergence?: Spontaneous art-making and participatory expression in the private and collective lives of youth. Paper presented at the Research Conference in InSEA Congress, Seoul, Korea.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). A 21st Century global aesthetic - neo-teatrum mundi: With implications for art education. Paper presented at the General Conference, InSEA Congress, Seoul, Korea.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Magic pencils: Drawing Harry Potter's world. Workshop presented at the Phoenix Rising Narrate Conference, New Orleans.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). When wands become brushes: Painting the magical real. Paper presented at the Phoenix Rising Conference. New Orleans, LA.
• Manifold, M. C. (2007). Participatory design of an online studio art course for undergraduate non-art majors. Paper presented at the Teaching and Learning with Technology Conference, Purdue University, Lafayette IN.
• Chen, J., & Manifold, M. C. (2007). Fantastic worlds: Global youth learn, create, and share spontaneous art. Paper presented at the annual conference of the National Art Education Association, New York.
• Manifold, M. C. (2006, November). “Art is my life!”: The hidden roles of art in the lives of adolescents and young adults. Paper presented at the Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI), Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
• Manifold, M. C. (2006, September). Images of fan-art and cosplay as neo-teatrum mundi. Paper presented at Perform.Media – A Transdisciplinary Festival of Creativity, Research, Theory and Technoculture. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, September 29-October 14.
• Manifold, M. C. (2006, June). Using Art to Deal with Difficult Issues in the Classroom. Paper presented at Western Kentucky University, School of Fine Arts, Art Education Program.
• Chen, J., Lee, C., Manifold, M. C., & Wang, L. (2006, March). A critical reflection of anime/manga fandom. Paper presented at the International InSEA Congress 2006: Interdisciplinary Dialogues in Arts Education, Viseu, Portugal.
• Manifold, M. C. (2006, March). Who we are together: Case studies of multicultural art teachers and students. Paper presented at the annual conference of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Chicago, IL.
• Lackey, L., Manifold, M. C., & Zimmerman, E. (2006, March). Mean girls—The continuing saga: Student resistance to preservice elementary generalist art methods courses. Paper presented at the annual conference of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Chicago, IL.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Ecological awareness: The art and pedagogy of Jin-shiow Chen. Paper presentation at the Art Education Association of Indiana Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Teaching that heals. Paper presentation at the Art Education Association of Indiana Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Aesthetic expression, Harry Potter, Information-Age youth, and the theater of life. Paper presentation at The Witching Hour, A Harry Potter Symposium, Salem, MA.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Children caught in chaos: Understanding the aesthetics of tumult. Paper presentation at the 1st Annual Interdisciplinary Appalachian Cultural Studies Conference at Morehead State University.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). The art of 21st century youth. Invited presentation at the National Chi-Yi University, Chi-Yi City, Taiwan.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). The art of 21st century youth. Invited presentation at the National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). Children caught in chaos: Understanding the aesthetics of tumult. Invited presentation at the National Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chi-Yi County, Taiwan.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005). The art of 21st century youth. Invited presentation at the National Taipei Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005, March). The secret art-making of Info-Age kids. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association, Boston, MA.
• Manifold, M. C. (2005, March). Teaching tolerance in tumultuous times. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association, Boston, MA.
• Lackey, L., Manifold, M. C., & Zimmerman, E. (2005, March). Mean, middle class, and entitled: Student resistance to preservice generalist art methods courses. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association, Boston, MA.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004, November). Elements and principles for a new age. Presentation at the annual conference of the Art Education Association Indiana (AEAI), Vincennes, Indiana.
• Manifold. M. C. (2004, April). The aesthetic experience of chaos: Dealing sensitively with difficult issues. Presentation at the Kentucky Art Education Association (KAEA) Mini-Conference. Columbia, Kentucky.
• Lackey, L.; Manifold, M.; and Lafferty, S. (2004, April). Out of school and everywhere: New research on non-formal and informal art education. Presentation at the annual conference of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Denver, Colorado.
• Diaz, G. & McKenna, M. (Chairs) (2004, April). Teaching for aesthetic experience: The art of learning. Panel participant at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA), San Diego, California.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004, April). The unique self in a global place. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Denver, Colorado.
• Manifold, M. C. (2004). When youth teach art to one another. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Denver, Colorado..

• Faculty Mediation Committee, Indiana University, Bloomington
• Review Board, Art Education
• President of United States Society for Education Through Art (USSEA) 
• North Am. World Councilor to International Soc. for Education through Art (InSEA)
• Affiliate Faculty, Center for Global Change, Indiana University, Bloomington
• Faculty Sponsor of NAEA/AEAI Student Chapter
• Indiana University, School of Education, International Programs Committee Member.
• Review Board of Compare: A Journal of Comparative Education. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Publishers.
• Committee to Revise the Evaluation of Teaching, School of Education (Member)
• Program Reviewer - Higher Education Accreditation in Fine Arts, Division of Educator Licensing and Development, Indiana Department of Education
• Founding Advisory Board: International Association of Audience and Fan Studies
• Board Member, Art Education Association Indiana (AEAI)
• Co-Editor, InSEA Online Newsletter - With Dr. Enid Zimmerman.
• Review Board for The Journal of Social Theory in Art Education.
• Review Board of the Journal of Visual Arts Research.
• Master’s Program Committee, Curriculum & Instruction, School of Education.

• Mary J. Rouse Award for Outstanding Research Teaching & Leadership
• Outstanding Art Educator of the Year in Higher Education, AEAI
• The Ziegfeld National Service Award in Art Education, USSEA