Most students in America can graduate from high school without ever analyzing a piece of art. Perhaps these students will take an art history or an art appreciation course in college that may incorporate a few references to literature and history. Math or science connections will most likely remain entirely absent. Why do we treat art analysis…

In this article, the author describes an interdisciplinary and interactive lesson --"Meet the Artist"--that not only is a great way to introduce elementary school students to art history, but also encompasses writing, research, computer skills and the creation of art.

Line, shape, color and texture have always been the universal components of visual expression. Together these elements form a visual language. This packet is designed to be used as part of the Thematic Tour "First Look" offered by the Georgia Department of Education. The material explores some of the ways people use pictorial language;…

A fact-oriented handbook examines the overall picture of the educational and training opportunities for artists in the Federal Republic of Germany. Because of space limitations, this document presents a few typical examples of arts curricula rather than the total curriculum for the different types of schools in the 11 federal states. Subjects…

Discusses formalist/universalist, personal response/ antiformalist, and pluralist approaches to aesthetics. Recommends using a pluralist approach because it accounts for the aesthetic principles of non-Western art forms. Discusses pluralism in art education and how the criteria of Western aesthetics are now being challenged by art educators. (KM)

Norman Rockwell's Triple Self-Portrait provided the perfect starting point for taking self-conscious teenagers on a personal journey into the intimidating world of introspective art. Asking students to find the three self-portraits in the Rockwell work was an easy way to draw them into painting. From the visual clues and objects meaningfully…

Maintains that teaching the creation of art can be lost in the emphasis on discipline-based art education. Argues that much of art education is studying the art of others or the concepts and principles that can be derived from others. Contends that the process of personally creating art must be revived as an integral part of art education. (CFR)

The Clementine Hunter Black History Month Exhibition (Natchitoches, Louisiana) was a successful demonstration that five objectives can be achieved with a zero budget and teamwork. Objective 1 demonstrated that specially designed cultural and extracurricular events can be used as tools for retaining black students on a predominantly white college…

Examines the five progressive stages of Michael Parson's model for understanding aesthetic development: (1) favoritism; (2) beauty and realism; (3) expressiveness; (4) style and form; and (5) autonomy. Argues that the model can be applied to all ages. Uses Parsons' model to show how a congresswoman's level of aesthetic development can influence…

This handbook presents activities for teaching art appreciation to pre-school children. Based on the premise that young children learn primarily through the experience of handling and manipulating materials, child-size art postcards are indicated as a teaching tool. These postcards are readily adaptable to many different methods of displaying,…

In post-medieval times, art became sacrosanct rather than special as it had been regarded in previous cultures. This notion still drives art education and prevents the inclusion of entire cultures in contemporary curricula in art education. The myths that any society lives with, whether religious, political, or economic, are embedded in that…

This course outline, intended for ninth and/or tenth grade students, is designed to: (1) help students develop evaluative criteria for various art forms; (2) become aware of the interrelationships of the arts; and (3) realize that all art forms are part of the individual's attempt to reflect upon and interpret the world in which they live. In the…

Considers the true value of art by outlining a number of factors that determine the price of a painting including the fame of the artist, the time of the artist's death, and the age of the work. Concludes that students should be encouraged to consider the emotional, aesthetic, and intellectual worth rather than the monetary value. (KM)

Presents lesson plans for grades K-3 based on 4 well-known paintings Discusses historical background and cultural impact of the paintings. Provides student activities and assessment suggestions. (CFR)

Describes how artist Betye Saar collects technological debris that she manipulates to create her artwork. Compares her work with African art which has a long history of transforming materials from the environment into symbols and objects. Suggests activities for students to create art with debris from their environment. (KM)