Broadening the Understanding of Art Education

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the possibilities of approaching art education teaching methods with pragmatism. In the traditional sense, the role of the art educator has been to develop technical and visual skills of students. Today, the art educator is capable of developing teaching methods to enrich minds. Through thoughtful educational experiences, art educators may teach their students that works of art hold within them various social, cultural, personal meanings, and interpretations, which are an extension of the limitless possibilities explored by those who practice art making. Art educators must take into consideration students’ capacity in artistic learning. The understanding of art will differ as a result of students’ exposure to art, in addition to their understanding of everyday life. To arrive at new and renewed approaches, educators may pose questions, such as, how may art educators continue to teach traditional art, which is valuable when it comes to understanding the artistic styles that form diverse cultural and social fabrics, while also introducing contemporary art practices? In what ways may art educators engage with their students, share their experiences and knowledge, while simultaneously presenting them with new challenges?