Art Education Philosophy

Teachers help students realize themselves. Self-realization is their “activation.” Students aren’t formed or molded like clay, as some educational theorists suggest, they’re not grown or unfolded like plants or flowers as others say. Students are activated like humans, empowered by knowledge and experiences to act as persons, pointed in a direction.

Art Education teaches history, aesthetics, criticism, and studio because of, and in response to, beauty and meaning—ideas that when trained move students toward people, toward relationships and responsibility.

When students better understand the aesthetic impressions they perceive, the better artistic expressions they can achieve. Successful expressions connect with people.