Art Education, Collective Responsibility and Activism

Vanessa Lopez states that the 2010 NAEA National Convention theme Art Education and Social Justice is appropriate to our time. She says, “Our nation is truly questioning itself in order to discover and redefine who we are as a nation, what we believe in, and what needs to change.”  At the upcoming convention in Baltimore, we can expect that presenters will approach and discuss topics such as passivity, ignorance, truths, and assumptions while embracing equity, equality, collective responsibility and activism. How do we encourage our students explore these global themes and take on a role of local activism?
 
At my school, Sweet Apple Elementary, students explored the theme “Go Green” and created a theme-based float for our town’s annual Youth Day Parade. Every student had the opportunity to contribute either individually or in a cooperative lesson, learning and sharing knowledge about how to work toward a cleaner and “greener” planet. In tandem, the Environmental Club initiated a recycling program at Sweet Apple Elementary thus increasing the students’ overall awareness and concern with the issues facing our planet and its populations. The Georgia Art Education Association has embraced the topic for our Youth Art Month theme with students across the state engaged in discussion about how to save the Earth—from greater awareness of global climate change to reducing our waste and becoming more energy efficient.

   
   
 
How do we as art educators encourage students to identify the issues that are important to them, take on a role of responsibility and make a difference through art? Share your ideas!

Check out our video at: http://teacherweb.com/GA/SweetAppleElementarySchool/ArtDepartment/index.html
(Many thanks to Sweet Apple art teacher Ms. K for putting together this collection of great images!)

Reference:
http://www.arteducators.org/news/national-convention/notes

-Drew Brown
Art Educator
Past President, GAEA
The Georgia Art Education Association is committed to quality visual art education for all learners, provided by certified art educators. "ART FOR ALL!"