SummerVision DC: An evolving Professional Learning Community (PLC) explores art museums and nurtures the nurturer

This article discusses the National Art Education Association’s (NAEA) SummerVision DC program, which combines blended learning with ongoing professional development grounded in an intensive four-day expeditionary engagement, exploring diverse museums as vital learning sites while building a professional learning community (PLC). To comprehend the interactive nature of the SummerVision DC experience and its creation of optimal conditions for growing a supportive and professional learning community (PLC) within the museum environment, this article reviews key stages in the evolving process – from virtual preparation/anticipation to actual learning experiences, revealing the interweaving of the preparatory work with museum educators and participants, the hands-on/on-site experiences, the collaboration and relationship building, the time for reflection, the opportunity to apply what one is learning and walk away with lessons that can be used in the classroom, the use of technology to expand and extend the learning (before the event), and the community connections (after the event) that are continued and expanded through social media with ongoing NAEA support for collaborative networking and insightful and creative leadership.