Provides background information on Zimbabwean art and sculpture and Harry Chingono, a Zimbabwean sculptor. Includes reproductions of Chingono's sculpture "The King's Secret" and describes it in detail. Offers four ideas for learning activities. (CMK)

The term "visual culture" includes all manifestations of cultural life that are significantly expressed through visual aspects and interpreted through individual and shared experiences. Visual culture includes art, cultural practices, media images, and other forms. However, teaching visual culture involves more than extending the range of visual…

Arts Genesis, Inc. (AGI) forms partnerships with diverse communities to assist them in finding fulfillment through the arts by meeting their own self-defined needs; uses arts experiences to encourage discovery, creativity, and diversity; and continually strives for excellence in the arts and education. Arts Genesis grew out of "Project…

Article discussed a study that surveyed attitudes of a cross section of Americans toward the arts and queried them about their involvement with the arts and various kinds of creative activities. (Author/RK)

Maintains that the study of art history should be learning about all forms of art work from every culture and relating it to the present. Describes how one art teacher uses puppetry to actively involve students in art history. Recommends that teachers look to the great teachers and their own teaching for such lessons. (KM)

Traces the development of National Endowment for the Arts education policy and relates these trends to the conversion of art activity into entertainment. Points out that large budgets and increased activity in programs do not guarantee artistic achievement with permanent value. Urges interested persons to support the ideals of art. (KO)

Describes a U.S.-Soviet mural project where citizens from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and citizens from Leningrad created two peace murals--one in the United States and the other in the Soviet Union. The murals were exchanged. Participants made their own clay using dry clay and water before creating their impressions of peace and friendship. (KM)

Describes how performing (of music, drama and other things from elementary school through college) has helped each of the author's three children (three very different people) along their respective paths, helping them to reach their goals and feed their souls. Argues that such programs in the schools are priceless. (SR)

Discusses hosting a Dia de Los Muertos, or a Day of the Dead, procession and festival to remember victims of school or community violence. Traditionally, the festival is a means for life embracing death and of honoring the dead. Describes the procession and festival and addresses the making of altars. (CMK)

The article takes as its starting point my recent ethnography of the Welsh National Opera Company, and the forthcoming monograph "Everyday Arias: making opera work". In the course of that work I revisited the theme of performance: the ethnography of performance and the performance of ethnography. I discuss briefly the everyday work of…

Evaluation of student learning and achievement in multicultural art programs should reflect the learning styles of students from diverse ethnic, racial, and class backgrounds. Traditional standardized tests measure factural knowledge and memorization skills never higher order thinking skills. Some authentic assessment measures include exhibitions,…

Thirteen experts in the visual arts, literature, music, dance, and theater responded to the arguments of E. D. Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know", focusing particularily on his alarm at the serious slippage that has occurred in the background knowledge and information prerequisite for effective communication.…

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)

Describes the efforts of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to foster active student and community participation with its arts resources and cultural offerings. The Trust provides family/school programs, teacher partnerships, cultural enticements, community enrichment, and a comprehensive arts education. (YKH)

This report on how Native American healing methods can be utilized in Western creative art therapy emphasizes that for Native Americans, art is an element of life--not a separate aesthetic ideal. Furthermore, American Indian philosophy does not separate healing from art or religion; the belief is that traditional healing, which uses shamanic…