Creative Connections: A Guidebook for Arts-based Inquiry

Authors

Julia Marshall, Palo Alto Art Center
Kimberley D'Adamo, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ann Ledo Lane, Palo Alto Arts Center

Date of this Version

2023

Document Type

Article

Citation

Palo Alto Arts Center Foundation, 2023

Comments

Copyright 2023, Palo Alto Arts Center Foundation. Used by permission

Abstract

Art-based inquiry is an approach to art education that frames art making as a form of inquiry—a way of exploring and learning about ideas, ourselves and the world. The goals of art-based inquiry are understanding important topics, imagining possibilities, and inventing new realities. Students create art in order to meet those goals and they do it with a teacher’s guidance. For Creative Connections, art-based inquiry calls for a slight shift in perspective and change in practice. Adopting art-based inquiry does not mean throwing out everything you do. It means seeing art class diff erently and adapting it to a more concept-driven, learning-centered and open-ended approach. Small as this shift may seem, it has broad and important implications. They are:

■ Emphasis is on exploring and learning about meaningful ideas and concepts—not solely on making art objects or practicing techniques.

■ Construction of artworks (using materials and techniques) plays a supportive role to learning about concepts and playing with ideas.

■ Learning is scaff olded and open-ended.

■ Thinking is emphasized and made explicit.

■ Creative interpretation, imagination and invention are included in every project.

■ Curriculum is understood as a whole—as a continuum of projects and activities that build upon each other.

■ Reflection and documentation are integral to the process.