The importance of art education (part 2)

This post originally appeared on Keep Forever Box.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.   Last year at the middle school where I worked, we raised lots of money and wrote a grant for a sculpture project called “Recreating the Dream: The March on Washington.”

We secured hundreds of rolls of packing tape for our students and for students around the county. A total of 10 art teachers from 7 different schools worked together to have students re-create the March on Washington of 1963 and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. Students made life size sculptures out of clear packing tape.

Artist and educator Katie Wall Podracky led middle school students with other art teachers in creating this sculpture project “Recreating the Dream: The March on Washington.”

Student groups of three or four were given the problem of creating one protestor for the march. They had to self-assign roles for each other, which often included a model, a safety engineer, a taper, and a structural engineer. Students researched the history in the computer lab to learn about who these people were and why they were protesting. They also watched the entirety of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech for perspective and inspiration. Students also spoke with a local commemorative sculptor about his process, and learned about George Segal’s work on the great depression and the holocaust. This project is a great example of how students practice problem solving, creativity, collaboration and communication in art class. Working together, they had to create a sculpture that would stand, communicate an idea, and fascinate their audience. It was a huge success! I believe it taught them so much more about themselves as individuals. They learned that students, especially student artists could be powerful agents of change in this world. This project involved learning way beyond reading passages in a book and taking a test about history.   Instead, students put themselves in the shoes of the person they were creating. They got caught up in the emotion of the event, and they were intrinsically motivated to do a great job. I am so proud of them!

Last year at the middle school where I worked, we raised lots of money and wrote a grant for a sculpture project called “Recreating the Dream: The March on Washington.”

Art class often includes the best practices in education. It’s basically how we all want to be treated in a classroom. We want to be engaged, entertained and experiencing hands-on learning instead of sitting back and receiving a lecture. We also want to have a little control over our own destiny. We want the freedom to put our own stamp of creativity and personality on our projects and we want to steer their direction to an extent. We also learn a lot from our peers when we’re allowed to interact with them. Art class is essential.

In all, we had right at 125 sculptures of protestors at the march, and roughly 700 students participated in creating them. Some students were interviewed by the newspaper or television. One student group created a mini-documentary about the project on their own time. Many students said it was their favorite project all year. Art class is not only awesome, it’s lots of fun and it keeps students excited about coming to school.

To learn more about this art project and to see additional pictures and video documentaries, visit www.recreatingthedream.blogspot.com.

So you’re probably wondering how you can help ensure that your children receive this kind of education. There are many ways to do this! You can help your local art teacher, or you can tackle some artistic learning at home on your own. For some inspiration, check back here later next week.