Ponderings on Art Ed.

As I sit in a room as an acting authority for my school's Saturday detention, a few thoughts run through my head. The most notable of them deals with how I see myself as a person who has reached some levels of success in my field, a field to which I coveted very much and for a great deal of time, and had only recently become immersed in. The question is, what is my personal measure of success, is this an arbitrary measure, and even more, what does it mean?

I find that there is an inner dialogue, or even argument in some cases, between my actual self, perceived self, and potential self. I begin to looking back into past years as a source for information, or truth on the matter. Who was I before, what were my aspirations, and how has this changed? What could I have done differently to obtain greater successes in life, and have the choices made by past selves impeared my ptotential self from a better condition today? And ultimately, how does my true self fit into the context of society and reality, whatever my true self is?

Awfully large and deep questions to be maulling over, and without much hope for answers. It does however bring me to a few greater connections, and they might not be in a driection that you would have guessed. Simply, it gets me thinking about the role that art has played in my life and how this relationship has brought me some of the greatest accomplishments and gifts I have received in my short time, and will most likely continue to be my greatest source of reward for the rest of my life.

I also find it funny to read my thoughts as they spew from my brain. One of the largest points of advice I make to other educators, potential and experienced, is to know thyself. Be yourself, and know who you are. Ironic that finding those answers can be found in building greater uncertainties.

What is the state of Art Education?

This is the age of capitalism, of digital design, youtube, facebook, etc, etc, etc.....and of the global world.
Does the move into a digital age curupt the Arts by its mere existence? Or, have these changes in society and technology only made Art more accessible, and therefore, even more necessary to understand?

Society is in a state of mental and emotional flux, and seemingly without end. As a result, our assumptions and practices towards how we teach need rethinking. Especially given that changes now are more frequent and dramatic. It is exactly in this kind of condition that the Arts serve an even greater role. Because, Art is humanity expressed through the many voices a person can have. It is the proccess by which we attempt to understand ourselves, and our roles in society. Art moves us towards change through creativity and imagination, through inspiration of others, and by making the personal connections involved in giving yourself to a greater good. I ask again, how does one measure success?

The disconnect between values essential within the Arts, or society, or humanity, or culture is where we head down dangerous paths, and roads that venture away from our true potential as a person and a species. Many of the roads that the education system foster move away from self-reflection, commitment to an ideal and procces, and away from teaching people how to truly assimulate their world as it exists today. Education is just another form of control and obediance if it is not teaching how to understand the inner workings of our current condition as human beings, and not how to become motivated participants in the changes of the future.

Are we teaching the Art of now?
We must be aware of ourselves, ourselves as we are now in state of continual flux, as much as who we were in our past. Teachers must attend to the power of the present in order to help students understand and communicate with that world.

We must create a curriculum which involves Art as a reaction to our world, and as a proactive part of that world. This allows and helps cultivate a person who can become a creator of visual works that teach others, provide new and unique perspectives and complete the circle of a healthy community of learning and understanding. Art is not the only subject capable of building on these principles, but it should be valued as one of the most powerful.

What does it mean to be creative in todays world of cyberspace, and do the many educators occupying space within our schools have the right type of literacy to deal with it?

Art is not a silent bystander to society. It is now, a large force and embodiement of society. A mirror if you will. The Art of the "old" is dead and has been reborn in a new highly visual world. This visual world demands understanding by the masses so that it can be cultivated by the people and not become a system of control.

To state, and re-state,
Art ED needs to move beyond old thinking, and break through the bars set by a severely outdated education system.
Emphasis in schools should be on creative thought.
We can only expect value and support when what we do is understood.
The criteria changes as the form changes.
Assert and realize our humanity within the curriculum of all subjects.
There can not be a seperation between theory and practice.

Art is an experience.