An Art Room for the 21st Century

A Contemporary view of the 21st Century Art room Sheryl Lamme

I f it is indeed true that our notions of the real and the possible are shaped in cultural discourses, art teachers have the potential to change the world. Olivia Gude

Art Education’s role in society has changed powerfully over the years. As we face the return to being a visual culture, students now need the tools to closely examine and interpret their world. Technology has, in many areas of study, eliminated the need to learn a skill set. Instead, as they wade through a vast sea of technological information, students need critical thinking skills and the ability to both discern and appropriately use the information they encounter. Art making must present playful opportunities that challenge students to master the use of materials, facilitate problem solving, personal response, and greater degrees of exploration. The art room is the ideal setting for the continuing development of Gardner’s Five Minds, a place for acquiring those skills needed to thrive in the ever-changing future.

While some art teachers have readily embraced this change, others cling to the safety of teaching what they have always taught. State standards and Grade level expectations create a need to develop lessons based solely on demonstrating an understanding of the elements and principles of design, art vocabulary, art history, and successful execution of art processes. Art making, though a pleasant experience, lacks depth and meaningful connection.

I have created a contemporary view of the way the twenty-first century art room should look. I plan to display this piece along with a brief artist’s statement at my school’s annual back-to-school open house. I want parents, students, staff, and administration all to realize that art is so much more than making pretty pictures. When the time is right, I also plan to share this piece with art teaching colleagues in my district, and perhaps at an MAEA conference.

References

Carroll, K. L. (2003). Better Practice in Visual Arts Education: Vol. IV. (J. L. Tucker, Jr.). Baltimore, MD:

Maryland State Department of Education.

Churches, A., Crockett, L., & Jukes, I. (2010). The Digital Diet : Today's Digital Tools in Small Bytes. Charleston, SC: 21st Century Fluency Project Inc & Corwin Press.

  

Duncum, P. (2010). Seven Principles for Visual Culture Education. Art Education, 63(1), 6-10. Gardner, H. (2008). Five Minds for the Future. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

Gude, O. (2004). Postmodern Principles: In Search of a 21st Century Art Education. Art Education, 57(1), 6-14.

Gude, O. (2007, January). Principles of Possibility: Considerations for a 21st Century Art & Culture Curriculum. Art Education: the Journal of the National Art Education Association, 60(1), 10-17.

Home Visits [Video file]. {2003}. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/osorio/clip2.html{2003}.