January 25: Art Education in Contemporary Classrooms

To understand and actively engage in art, a knowledge and understanding of art must be cultivated at a young age. Some of our students will come from art rich environments where knowledge and skills were developed alongside an appreciative attitude with respect to artistic endeavours Many of our students will not have the benefit of such an environment, so our task will be to awaken or instill a positive attitude about art. . Art education is essential to the development of the whole child. Art curriculums serve teachers and students as the foundation from which teachers build lessons that will reach both ends of the student spectrum with regards to art experience. This means that the art we teach our students must reach beyond mere crafts and template projects to methods that would encourage not only the practice of artistic skills like drawing and painting, but also an understanding of what it means to create art, what art is and the history of art. We would be ensuring of course our students really understand the depth of art outside of aesthetic purposes, by engaging them not only in creation but also in research, viewing and discussing artworks of each other’s and in museums. Giving of course a more rounded view and understanding.

In order to have this ideal art education, one that would set students up for a later connection and relationship to art, it is essential that we as teachers ensure the curriculum allows time for these activities. Thus it is important to set aside separate time for art classes with the understanding that it is a stand-alone subject in many ways. It is true that art may be easily be integrated but it is important to ensure that the goals and outcomes are taught and that children are given that time to experience art in such a manner that the develop appreciation for art. In doing this we also must remember to acknowledge the different skills and backgrounds of our students and use this to encourage their individuality and creative growth, allowing them to learn from the world around them and from each other.

In allowing this accepting, inclusive and separate program time children are able to think in new ways leading to a higher level of understanding in all their learning. It allows them to observe, and explore the world around them more fully without worrying as much for the memorization and repetition of a standard lesson. While this new class and new subject may have difficulties with different abilities in its learners and the pressure of mainstream learning the benefits outweigh the difficulties and in assigning value to art programming as necessary not nice we reap benefits that are lifelong for our students.