Philosophy of Art Education

                Having spent a relatively small amount of time in the art room, I feel that I still have much, much more to learn in the field. I do, however, feel as if I’ve gained the beginnings my own personal thoughts and philosophies about the education of art in schools. I do find myself believing that children have the amazing ability to express themselves so thoroughly in the visual arts with such abandon that it is often envied by the most learned of “professional” artists. Art, I believe, allows the students to put out into the physical world what has been milling around their minds just waiting to come out and most of the time, without them even knowing it! Thus, the philosophy that “art is for everybody” is my personal mantra. I do believe that within everyone is a soul wishing to create.

As long as the child is learning, creating, and enjoying themselves within the art world, I believe that they have “succeeded” in my classroom. Many children are worried to “get it wrong” and that they’re not “good” artists. In my art room, the only way a student can ever get anything “wrong” is by not allowing themselves to be a part of the learning experience. I will, however, incorporate self-assessments and objectives for the students to meet so that they are aware of what we’re going to be learning and experiencing. Also, class discussion before and during the lesson will also be crucial to the lesson as they we will be verbalizing what they have previously learned and begin applying it to their newest lesson. I do believe that discussion within the class is quite vital to the lesson and to the students’ well being as they begin to construct and further their social skills.

A comprehensive art program allows every student to increase positive attitudes towards their selves, others, and the environment through their creative experiences in the art room. I believe that through their greater understanding of their world, and through obtaining and understanding and an acceptance of various cultures, an exploration of culture and art history becomes indispensable in creating an objective and balanced art program.  Creative learning and problem solving within each lesson, I believe, encourages students to connect their visual knowledge to other subjects they are learning within their home class and to respond to those other lessons with originality, understanding, and imagination. Thus allowing them to achieve a well-rounded view of our world and all that they will eventually be experiencing in their lives and I truly believe that a child that has found themselves immersed within the fine/visual arts will find themselves much more apt to understand and accept other cultures, lives, and individuals.