Critical Pedagogy - The Teaching of History and Appreciation of Art in a practical sense!
A Critical Pedagogy - The Teaching of History and Appreciation of Art in a practical sense!
This example of the transition year Art programme in this secondary school, is one of the best reasons why Art is a crucial subject for students to study and more importantly experience! In my own experience, and in many other Art teachers experience that I have personally spoken to, we have all heard the statement, that the study of Art is a waste of time, and is purely a 'doss' subject. Personally, I find this a very negative statement, but it can be difficult to argue back that indeed Art is important. Anyone can see the benefits of this for both students and staff alike. This initially was a small project, housed in the Art room, but became not just a complete school effort but a community effort. The students experienced first hand what it takes to make a film, from finding suitable locations, making costumes to securing funding for the project. This project called upon many different types of skills from the visual artists, who could design the sets and camera shots, to the organised who planned the logistics of the entire operation. Students who's strenghts lay in the english department created the scripts, the entire school and community came together to create this film, and in the process some hugely valuable learning was had. It also gave students a crucial life experience they would not have had otherwise if they had not of studied art. I ask anyone to explain after reading this article, how anyone can state that Art is a useless subject. It promotes both problem solving, self expression, and critical thinking, more than any other subject currently in the Irish syllabus in my opinion. This is why I believe that the Creative Engagement initiative for schools to be vitally important, to changing this negative fixed mindset. This initiative which is co funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and the department of Education and Skills.
' Each year projects are produced in schools ranging from theatre and film through to sculpture and music. A creative engagement happens when a local artist or arts group comes into the school and imparts their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to the students. This partnership has mutual benefits to both artist and school.The Creative Engagement programme strives to encourage creativity, initiative and expression in our students and to complement curricular learning in the arts , heritage and culture. NAPD envisions an education system energised through the arts and where creativity is a core activity in the post primary curriculum. NAPD is continuing to develop a partnership with the National Heritage Council. Michael Parsons of the Arts and Culture Committee is a member of the National Heritage Council.' http://www.creativeengagement.ie/index.php/gallery-2/ It allows students to engage in projects, where they meet actual artists and work along side by side with them to make a funded project for their own school.
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