No matter if a child is enrolled in an early childhood education program during those first formative years of their life or if they are working toward a four-year degree at a university, art plays a pivotal part in learning and education along with holistic growth and development. Aspiring art educators should not only recognize the role of art in the learning process but should also know how to utilize creative curriculum design in order to accommodate the needs and preferences of all learners.
Understanding the Core Components of an Art Curriculum
Whether you are creating an elementary art curriculum that focuses primarily on project-based learning or implementing a high school art curriculum that covers advanced art techniques, you will want to anchor your curriculum with core components. The central components of an art curriculum ensure that students learn a wide range of art concepts, cover a variety of art topics and learn more about diverse artists from different backgrounds and cultures around the world.
Defining the Goals of Art Education
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences notes that an art education is integral to overall academic success as well as personal growth and development. The goals of art education should be to:
- Help students develop a better understanding of art and its role in today’s world.
- Allow students to develop artistic and creative skills.
- Give students a chance to experiment with different tools, techniques and mediums.
- Promote creative expression in education.
- Improve social-emotional awareness and help students connect to art on a deeper level.
- Allow students to learn more about art history.
- Promote cultural awareness and inclusivity both inside and outside the classroom.
Core Elements of an Effective Art Curriculum
The National Core Arts Standard notes four key elements that should be included in a visual arts curriculum:
- Creating – Students should be given opportunities to create their own art and experiment with different styles, techniques and mediums.
- Presenting – Students should have an opportunity to present their artwork.
- Responding – Students should be given access to a wide range of artistic creations and pieces as well as the opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on and respond to those works.
- Connecting – Students should be taught how to connect to art and explain the connections they feel (either to other works of art or to their own creations).
Designing an Art Curriculum for Different Education Levels
While the core components should be included in any art curriculum at any level, the implementation of the curriculum will look different based on the age of the students and their current development.
Elementary School Art Curriculum
At the elementary level, students are being introduced to art in the academic setting for the first time — but in all likelihood, this will not have been their first exposure to art. The elementary art curriculum should be built in a way that allows students to explore new materials and techniques while expressing their own ideas and creativity through art. Most elementary art projects involve basic skills and introductory materials, giving students an opportunity to build their skills and become more comfortable creating art. According to the National Art Educators Association, students should be exposed to both traditional tools and digital technology in art classes.
Middle School Art Curriculum
At the middle school level, art lesson planning typically requires educators to balance art appreciation with project-based learning. According to research published by the National Art Educators Association in the Studies in Art Education Journal of Issues and Research, art production is often emphasized at the middle school level, giving these developing learners the opportunity to build upon the basic art techniques taught in elementary while simultaneously developing a deeper appreciation for art.
High School Art Curriculum
Educators who are creating and implementing a high school art curriculum can take things to the next level, as high school students have likely been exposed to basic art classes throughout their education. At the high school level, curricula may be heavily rooted in advanced art techniques, allowing students to take specific courses such as ceramics, painting, pottery and more. In many cases, student art portfolios take center stage at the high school level, as many of the students enrolled in advanced art classes may be pursuing a career in the arts after graduation.
Best Practices for Curriculum Development
Educators who are designing art curriculum programs for their schools or an entire district will want to work strategically to create a curriculum that best benefits all students. An art curriculum should be a largely skills-based curriculum, though it should also have academic components related to art history and culture from around the world. Below are some art education best practices and instruction strategies:
Incorporating Student Choice and Voice
Personalized learning in art is crucial, which is why educators should work to prioritize student voice and choice as they develop the art curriculum. From giving students freedom to personalize their elementary art projects to providing high school students with more opportunities to create independent art, educators can give students the autonomy they need to fully realize the benefits of creative expression in the classroom environment.
Integrating Cross-Curricular Connections
Cross-curricular art projects can be incredibly beneficial for students of all ages because they provide an opportunity to connect the material they are learning in another class to the art skills they are developing in the studio. For instance, if students are learning about Indigenous cultures in social studies, the art teacher can offer them an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous art and the role of art in Indigenous cultures, techniques used and more.
Assessing and Evaluating Student Work
For art educators, assessment and evaluation can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to criticizing a student’s creativity. However, as part of the curriculum framework, there should be clearly identifiable benchmarks that can be used for assessment. Rather than evaluating the student’s creative expressions or imaginative ideas, art educators can evaluate skill proficiency and assess the student’s ability to use materials effectively in the classroom environment.
Utilizing Resources and Technology in Art Education
Any contemporary art education should allow students to leverage digital tools and technology in the art classroom. Educational technology, including digital art tools, can increase the accessibility of the art curriculum and provide students with an opportunity to become proficient in some of the most modern art techniques.
Leveraging Digital Tools and Resources
Digital tools and resources can help promote critical thinking in art education and provide students with an opportunity to expand their borders beyond their classroom environment.
Some of the top digital tools and resources for art educators include:
- Google Arts & Culture in the Classroom – This educational tool was launched by Google to offer students of all ages a safe place to discover art online. Through this tool, students can embark on virtual art field trips, receive digital art lessons from famous artists and discover art from countries around the world.
- Sketchbook by Autodesk – This art software program works on a wide range of devices, providing students with a digital platform that allows them to draw and sketch digitally with ease.
- Tinkercad by Autodesk – This free app is ideal for art educators who want to provide students with a chance to develop their computer-aided design skills. This app allows art teachers to easily incorporate STEM-based learning into their classrooms.
Accessing Community and Professional Resources
Additionally, art educators should leverage community and professional resources that can enhance the curriculum and deliver a more engaging experience in the classroom. Some of the top community and professional resources for art educators include the National Art Education Association, the Art Assignment by PBS and the Getty Museum’s Education Programs. In addition, many art educators can collaborate with their local art councils and community art programs in order to improve their lesson plans and increase their students’ exposure to various types of art.
Adapting and Evolving the Art Curriculum
Even once you have created and implemented a student-centered art curriculum, you will need to continually evaluate, revise and evolve the curriculum over time. By making a conscious effort to grow and develop the art curriculum through the years, you can better provide all students with a culturally responsive and socially aware curriculum.
Keeping the Curriculum Relevant
While most art curriculum programs are anchored by traditional art techniques that have been perfected throughout history, it’s still important to have a relevant and informative curriculum in place. Your art curriculum should reflect the student population in your school and be designed to meet the needs of various learners. Continuous development of the curriculum allows you to incorporate the best teaching practices for art into the lessons.
Addressing Diverse Learner Needs
Regardless of background or ability, students should be exposed to the art curriculum and have the opportunity to explore their own self-expression through art. Thus, art educators must strategically work to create a curriculum that addresses the diverse needs of all types of learners. An adaptive art curriculum can allow you to quickly revise lesson plans in order to personalize the learning experience for each student.
Learn About the Strategic Approach to Art Curriculum Development at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Art educators have the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of their students. 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 that allows students to explore the leading art teaching methods so they can deliver an inclusive art education for their future students. Request more information about our on-campus and online degree programs today!
