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Facilitate Individualized Success
BRIAN KAVANAUGH is an art educator who has worked in the field of art and disability for 20 years.
The STUDIO MATRIX SYSTEM was created to communicate the practices Brian built over his career.
Mr. Kavanaugh has had a lead role in the creation and programming of several progressive art studio programs focused on the creative growth of people with disabilities.
Mr. Kavanaugh is a Fulbright funded researcher in Art Education, received his Master of Fine Arts degree from The Cranbrook Academy of Art and has provided SMSYSTEM presentations, workshops, and training at the University of Fine Arts in Poznań, Poland, The University of Art and Design, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and The University of Toledo, Ohio USA.
2021 STUDIO MATRIX SYSTEM is formed to enable service providers, caregivers, and volunteers who support people with disabilities to facilitate personal and creative growth unique to each person’s wants, needs, and preferences.
2020-2021 Chairperson of the Detroit Affiliate of Michigan Arts Access. Managed, coordinated, and produced virtual arts & culture programming for special education classes in Detroit Public Schools.
2019-2020 Fulbright Commission-funded researcher in Art Education, Romania. Research into how principles of the SMSYSTEM can be communicated in a community without precedent for supporting the creative and expressive abilities of people with disabilities.
2013-2019 Studio manager and senior facilitating artist, Friendship Circle Soul Studio. With Friendship Circle Michigan, conceptualized and created an arts center for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities.
2011-2013 Master of Fine Arts, Cranbrook Academy of Art, internationally recognized leader in contemporary studio practice research.
2006-2011 Teaching Artist, Autism Services, Inc. Arts Work program. Facilitated the creative and expressive growth of people with autism.
2001-2005 Bachelor of Fine Arts, SUNY Purchase College
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