Why should we teach Art?

In times of stress , when educational goals as well as practices are questioned , there is an accentuated need for educators to examine and justify the enterprise in which they are engaged . Art , educators , with few exceptions , have not been noted for clear and concise justifications for the teaching of art in the public schools . One of the unique and valued aspects of art education is the independence , individually , and diversity of teaching styles among art teachers . It is not uncommon within a school district to find art classrooms and art programs which

reflect distinctive and individual approaches to the teaching of art

Art means work appears to be a deceptively simple statement at first glance . Consider the image of Michelangelo , for example , chipping away laboriously on a large piece of Carrara marble as the form of David gradually emerges under his hands . Or , one might contemplate the vision of Vincent Van Gogh , looking remarkably like Kirk Douglas , laboring intensely under the hot sun of southern France with his canvas tied to the easel against the buffetings of the parched wind . A vision of Louise Nevelson comes to mind , collecting boxes and wood pieces , sawing hammering , painting , and constructing (Eliade 1985

Such images might be essentially accurate , but they are by no means adequate vis a vis the assertion art means work ' which is complex due to the multitude of meanings of the term , art ' with which aestheticians and critics have struggled heroically . We know as artists and art educators and , because the statement we are discussing is intended also fro students , parents , and school people , that the reference is to the commonly accepted visual art modes of drawing painting , sculpture , printmaking , filmmaking , and so on . When one says that art means work ' we are referring to the ordinary definition of the visual arts that most people understand . But the word work deserves closer analysis here . A look at the dictionary reveals a multitude of meanings : as a noun it has eleven different definitions with thirteen additional sub-definitions . As a verb it has ten more meanings and a dozen sub-meanings . Of course all of these are not appropriate when applied in the context of visual art , but quite a few of them do apply

According to Webster , work is activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something ' The creation of an art object requires the exertion of human faculties utilizing whatever strength is required to manipulate the materials selected by the artist . Artists utilize available technologies to magnify their strength when this is required . Mechanical devices are common for turning potter 's wheels pressing prints , and lifting elements of sculptural pieces in place Electricity is used to apply increased strength and speed to drills buffing and grinding wheels , and machines for stirring , mixing shredding , or blending various art materials for or in the process of making art (Hjort 1997

Furthermore , art requires from the artist a sustained physical or mental efforts to overcome obstacles and achieve...