This paper examines the role of visual arts in student creativity development and gives guidelines for using a comprehensive visual arts program which can foster interdisciplinary connections throughout the curriculum. Sections of the paper include: (1) "Visual Arts in Education"; (2) "Visual Arts is a Way to..."; (3)…

A recently developed pictorial and musical program was used to teach abstract art to 12 elementary students with severe intellectual disabilities and 12 controls. There was a significant main instructional effect favoring pictorial with classical music over both pictorial only and pictorial with rock music. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Examines the function of drawing by interviewing a wide range of people engaged in design activities. Promotes drawing for its vital contribution to two areas of design activities, exploration, and manipulation. Maintains that further research is necessary now that design and technology are part of the core curriculum in schools. (KM)

Explains how artist, Tim Rollins, worked with Kids of Survival, a group of secondary school students in the South Bronx area of New York City, to create large scale art works inspired by Franz Kafka's book, "Amerika." Describes scale, materials used, use of contrasts, and inspiration for these artworks. Suggests similar art activities…

The Task Force on Children's Learning and the Arts: Birth to Age Eight guides the development of arts-based early childhood programs and resources, and links the arts to the literacy of young children. This document presents examples of activities, programs, research, and resources that exemplify each of three guiding principles related to: the…

This fourth and final article in a series about children's story drawings describes a school art program based entirely on the visual narrative in which all art classroom activities and projects are based upon either visual storytelling or upon developing graphic vocabulary and grammar skills needed for visual narration. (Author/KC)

Aims to show that children have a "functional use of drawing" which contrasts with the mechanistic stages model of drawing development. Observes that young children's images often show extended time sequences. Argues that, when considered from this viewpoint, children's drawing abilities develop gradually from a high to a low variety of…

Describes the outreach education program of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (California). The First Visit and Beyond program consists of community outreach, museum visits, and return visits. Outreaches take place in the community with eight sessions of interactive discussion and art-making connected thematically to museum exhibits.…

This book describes an art program that combines the knowledge, imagination, and evaluative factors of creativity for a productive pattern of student growth in perception, thinking, valuing, and art skills. Over 200 basic concepts have been arranged in logical, developmental order to give students a valuable body of knowledge. Instruction focuses…

Depicts a high school art activity in which students create imaginative compositions by selecting, cutting out, and aesthetically arranging various styles of lettering. These letters then dictate the style and content of the composition. Tracing paper is used to transfer the desired composition creating a border for another page which is then…

Argues that encouraging creative self-expression should remain a vital part of the art curriculum. Provides a case study and explains how the art teacher can intervene to engage affective concerns by using appropriate works of art. Concludes that increased resources or recognition in the field should not be reasons to replace a child-centered…

Performance in drama, dance, music, puppetry, or combinations of these arts can be an exciting encounter for young children. This case study investigated one 4-year-old's responses to a children's opera. Her responses before, during, and after the performance were systematically observed and analyzed. Data showed that the child had some knowledge…

Introduces and describes this special international issue focusing on educating through the arts. Argues that the arts promote children's sense of success, creativity, and self-expression. Notes contributions to this international issue from Canada, Finland, Norway, Australia, and the United States. Includes a bibliography of 11 references on…

Based on the view that young children will benefit from having art experiences as an integrated part of the curriculum and based on a 3-year study conducted with 5 early childhood teachers, this book presents information on the theory, research, and practice of art in early childhood education. Chapter 1 begins with a description of the…

Argues that children need play time to explore the world because it is valuable, irreplaceable, spontaneous, and provides situations where children can learn with all their senses. Examines play in terms of its role in exploration, imagination, creative activity, work, learning, knowledge expansion, art, and the culture of children. (Author/SD)