Art teachers are required to do more than teach their students the basic art skills that they need to explore various mediums. They are charged with the task of helping students see that there is art all around them. Recognizing the role that they play in their students’ lives, art teachers take their art lessons outside the classroom and into the public space, where their students can discover amazing art in the community.
The Role of Community Projects in Art Education
There is significant debate in the art education sector about whether students learn more about art through intentional, skills-based instruction in the classroom or through experiences in their community. For the most part, most art educators agree that a blend of both approaches provides learners of all ages with the exposure to art and experience with artistic skills that they need to fully appreciate the beauty and purpose of art.
Community-based art education is incredibly valuable because it proves to students that there are no strict standards required to create art. Community art projects often showcase the depth and versatility of art, and they prove that art has a specific role in any community, regardless of its size or location.
Engaging Students in Real-World Art Applications
Collaborative art projects, such as the ones on display in many communities throughout the country, provide students with an opportunity to engage with art in areas that are familiar and comfortable for them. Community art projects demonstrate that art can be valuable and impactful outside of museums. By showing students that art is everywhere, these projects help them see themselves as artists with something to contribute.
Fostering a Sense of Social Responsibility
On the surface, it’s clear that community art projects and public art displays add beauty to a neighborhood or a downtown area. But the benefits extend beyond beautification. According to a report published in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, community art projects help foster a sense of social responsibility among community stakeholders. These collaborative art projects benefit communities by:
- Improving social cohesion in the community.
- Increasing the level of pride that residents have in their community.
- Connecting a diverse range of people in the community.
- Providing the community with consistency and structure.
- Aligning with the short-term and long-term goals of the community.
Benefits of Public Art for Students
Blending public art into a traditional in-school art education allows students to discover the role that art can play in the real world. While it’s important to ensure that students have access to the materials and instruction required to deepen their artistic skills and talents, it’s equally vital that they recognize the role that art can play in the daily lives of the people in a community. The benefits of public art for students extend beyond deepening their knowledge of and appreciation for art, allowing them to better understand the fabric of any community and the role that they can play within that community.
Expanding Creative Skills
By studying public art and being exposed to a diverse range of pieces within a community, students can see that works of art do not have to adhere to a specific set of standards. Public art is notoriously bold, with community members working to create pieces that acknowledge the history of the site or the culture of the region. From sculptures to murals, students will see that community art can be anything the community wants or needs. As a result, many students are more willing to use their imaginations and get more creative with their own art, because they see that all types of art have a space in their communities. A report published by the Department of Early Education and Care stated that young students exposed to public art are more curious and more willing to engage in conversations about art, which can also help bolster their creative skills both inside and outside the classroom.
Professional Development and Networking
Not only does a community-based art education benefit students but is also advantageous to art educators. Art teachers who actively work to blend community and public art into their curriculum will find that it allows them to network with other artists in the local community. Through this organic professional development, art teachers can discover new styles of teaching art and fresh art experiences that they can share with their students.
Notable Examples of Community Art Projects in Education
Community art projects have long been leveraged by educators as a way of showcasing the power of art in the real world to their students. These notable examples of community art projects in education can serve as inspiration for art educators who want to implement community-based art education in their schools.
Mural Projects in Local Communities
Community mural painting has become a transformative effort in which community members have the opportunity to collaborate, express their creativity, and beautify the public spaces that exist in their community. Many of these initiatives have been remarkably successful, with a few examples including:
- Philadelphia Mural Arts Program — As one of the original proponents of community mural painting, Mural Arts Philadelphia has been working to create innovative and thought-provoking murals in the Philadelphia community for more than 40 years. Currently, there are more than 4,000 murals throughout the city, thanks in part to their actions.
- The Great Wall of Los Angeles — Completed by a team of young students and art instructors between 1974 and 1984, The Great Wall of Los Angeles is one of the finest examples of community mural painting in the country. Sometimes referred to as The History of California, this mural stretches for more than half a mile. It showcases various scenes depicting historic events from communities in the area that traditionally have been marginalized.
- Richmond Mural Project — This community art initiative is described as a yearly event in which artists come together to create murals throughout the city of Richmond, Virginia. The goal is to create more than 100 murals within the first five years of the program, ultimately establishing Richmond as an artistic destination and promoting tourism in the community.
Sculpture Installations and Public Spaces
While community mural painting is one of the most common forms of public art, sculptures and other installations are becoming quite popular in public spaces as well. Some of the most well-known public art sculptures and installations in the country include:
- Chicago’s “Buddy Bench” Project — The concept of the “Buddy Bench” began in Chicago, when elementary students near the city came up with an idea to help combat loneliness and thwart bullying at school. Buddy benches are installed in schools as a space where students can go sit when they are feeling lonely, signaling to other children that they might need a friend.
- “Wings of the City” Project — While most community art projects are installed in one location, the “Wings of the City” project stands out for being a mobile, traveling community art installation. This installation consists of nine bronze sculptures designed by Mexican artist Jorge Marin. The traveling project has visited destinations around the country, including Texas, Colorado, South Carolina, and more.
Public Art as a Tool for Social Change
By immersing students in community art projects, art educators can show young learners how these installations can be used as a tool for social change. Around the country, public art is leveraged for social change in a variety of ways, such as:
Addressing Social and Environmental Issues
Many community mural projects and other public art installations are developed in a way that highlights social justice and environmental issues, ultimately raising awareness and advocating for improved conditions. Public art provides artists with an opportunity to counter the attempts that are often made to dilute history or erase marginalized voices.
Inspiring Civic Engagement Through Art
When art tackles social justice issues, it can inspire people to take action. Students who witness this firsthand can see that public art plays a role that extends beyond the beautification of a space. It exists to inform, educate, and inspire community members to support one another.
How Schools Can Support Community Art Initiatives
It’s clear that community-based art education is beneficial for students and educators alike. To foster a deep appreciation for art in all students, schools can take a variety of steps to support community art initiatives.
School leaders and educators can support an arts-integrated education by:
Partnering with Local Organizations
School leaders and art educators can make an effort to partner with local organizations in the community that promote the arts. For example, teachers could work with the local arts council to provide supplemental materials that could increase exposure to different artists or art concepts.
Creating Long-Term Impact Through Art Programs
By developing art programs that support the continued production of public art, art educators can ensure that students enjoy a community-based art education for years to come. Art programs that can be continued from one school year to the next are sure to have a lasting impact on the educational landscape in your community.
Discover the Power of Community-Based Art Education at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Art in the community can play a powerful role in any robust art education curriculum. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education degree as well as an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education degree, both of which feature a rigorous curriculum that allows students to develop the skills necessary to become an insightful and creative art teacher. Request more information about our online and on-campus degree programs today.
