Teaching Contemporary Art With Young People: Themes in Art for K-12 Classrooms

This book is a practical resource for educators to teach about current art and integrate its philosophy and methods into the K-12 classroom. It provides a framework that looks at art through the lens of nine themes, highlighting the conceptual aspects of art and connecting disparate forms of expression. It also offers guidelines and examples for using contemporary art to change the dynamics of a classroom, apply inventive non-linear lenses to topics, broaden and update the art canon, and spur creative and critical thinking. The selected artwork is accessible and relevant to young people's lives, diverse and expansive, probing, serious, and funny.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 08 October 2021
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

This comprehensive resource is designed to assist educators in teaching about current art and seamlessly integrating its philosophy and methodologies into the K–12 classroom. The authors offer a framework that examines art through the lens of nine themes: everyday life, work, power, earth, space and place, self and others, change and time, inheritance, and visual culture. By highlighting the conceptual aspects of art and connecting diverse forms of expression, the book fosters a deeper understanding of artistic concepts. Additionally, it provides guidelines and examples for utilizing contemporary art to transform the dynamics of a classroom, apply innovative non-linear lenses to topics, broaden and update the art canon, and stimulate creative and critical thinking.

The selected artwork in this book is curated to be accessible, relevant, diverse, probing, serious, and funny, appealing to young people's lives. It challenges conventional notions of what should be considered art and how it should be created, offering a sampling of the vast world of new art that can inspire educators and students alike.

The resource includes indicators and lenses that make contemporary art more familiar, accessible, understandable, and usable for teachers. It provides easy-to-reference descriptions and images from a wide range of contemporary artists, offering strategies for integrating art thinking across the curriculum. The book also offers suggestions to help teachers find contemporary art that aligns with their curriculum and school settings, along with concrete examples of art-based projects from both art and general classrooms. Furthermore, it provides guidance for developing curriculum, including how to create guiding questions to spur student thinking.

By incorporating this practical resource into the classroom, educators can foster a deeper appreciation for art and its role in shaping our world. Students will gain a broader understanding of artistic concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and cultivate a lifelong love for creativity and self-expression. The book serves as a valuable tool for educators who are committed to providing students with a comprehensive and enriching art education.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 220 x 279 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807765746