Aki Shibata

Aki Shibata is an Assistant Professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Her work focuses on behavioral art, fostering compassion and belonging through public and gallery spaces. She integrates art with education, emphasizing participatory practices that explore human interaction and inner peace. Shibata holds a BFA in Photography (2008) and an MA in Teaching and Instruction (2017).

Roles & Affiliations:

• Teaches visual and participatory art in Twin Cities schools.
• Facilitates IDEAL training at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
• Founder of the Primary School of Behavioral Art (2017), promoting liberation through collaborative art.

Research & Awards: Shibata’s work has been supported by grants from the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, F.R. Bigelow Foundation, and others. Her practice explores the intersection of body, mind, and community in public spaces.

Labs/Teams: The Primary School of Behavioral Art serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, blending art, education, and activism.