Author: Seidel, Steve; Tishman, Shari; Winner, Ellen; Hetland, Lois; Palmer, Patricia

Publication Year:

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This report lists seven purposes for arts education:

1. “Arts education should foster broad dispositions and skills, especially the capacity to think creatively and the capacity to make connections”

2. “should teach artistic skills and techniques without making these primary” and

3. “should develop aesthetic awareness.”

4. “Arts practices should provide ways of pursuing understanding of the world” and

5. “Arts education should provide a way for students to engage with community, civic, and social issues”

6. “should provide a venue for students to express themselves” and

7. “should help students develop as individuals” (18-27).

The authors go on to list the elements that make up quality arts learning through four different lenses: student learning, which focuses on the learning experience; pedagogy, explaining how teachers “conceptualize their role in the classroom”; community dynamics, exploring the dynamics of the learning space as a whole; and the environment which focuses on resources and time allotted (29).

Abstract:

This report delves into the components of a quality arts education, asking: ‘what defines quality in regard to artistic discipline, educational and personal goals, and student/teacher perspectives?’ as well as ‘why a quality arts education?’

Authors ask these questions in response to “…the infrastructure for in-school arts learning opportunities in the U.S. [being] seriously weakened over the past century” and the belief that “the No Child Left Behind Act has not strengthened arts education. With its focus on the ‘basics’ of literacy and numeracy and the pressure for students to demonstrate competency through standardized tests in mathematics and English, many districts have continued the trend toward reduction or even elimination of arts offerings” (Seidel et al 6). This report attempts to counter this trend and encourage the highest quality arts education as a learning standard.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education