My Philosophy of Art

Before taking this class, I honestly did not think of myself as someone who was good at art. Drawing and painting have never been strengths of mine, and most of my experience with art has been very beginner level. Because of that, I used to think art was mostly for people who were naturally talented or creative. However, throughout this course, my perspective on art in education has changed a lot. I now understand that art is not only about creating perfect drawings or paintings. Art is about expressing yourself, creating dreams and giving students another way to communicate and learn.

My philosophy of art in the classroom is that every student should feel comfortable participating in art activities, regardless of skill level. I want my future classroom to be a place where students are encouraged and want to try new things without worrying about being perfect. After all nobody is perfect so why is that I standard we often hold ourselves too. I think many students may feel nervous about art the same way I sometimes do, so I want to create an environment where effort, creativity, and participation are valued more than artistic talent. I relate it to physical education not every student is super athletic but if they participate and play the games to the best of their ability they will do just as well as the best athlete. Art should help students build confidence and enjoy learning instead of feeling judged.

In my classroom, I hope to integrate art into many different subjects rather than only teaching it separately. For example, students could create posters during science lessons, illustrate scenes from books during reading, or make historical timelines during social studies. I think integrating art into other subjects helps students stay engaged and allows different types of learners to succeed. Some students may understand concepts better when they are able to draw, design, or create something with their hands. At the same time, I also think direct art instruction is important because students should have opportunities to experiment with different materials and learn basic artistic skills. I know for myself as a kid in class when we got to draw it was amazing, I loved it. Even though I was not naturally gifted in art, it gave my mind a break from all the reading and writing I think that is a power that art has that almost nothing else does.

Since I am not an expert in art, I would focus more on encouraging creativity and exploration rather than teaching advanced techniques. I would want students to understand that art does not need to look perfect to have meaning. I would also try to include a variety of materials so students can discover what they enjoy most. Some materials I would want accessible in my classroom include crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint, construction paper, clay, scissors, glue, and digital art tools when available. I think giving students choices is important because every child expresses creativity differently.

The materials in my classroom would mostly be used during projects connected to classroom learning, free creative time, or group activities. I would likely store supplies in labeled bins or shelves that students could easily access. Keeping materials organized would help students learn responsibility while also making cleanup easier. I also think it would be important to establish classroom expectations for sharing and taking care of supplies.

I would love to include field trips and guest artists in my classroom if possible. Visiting museums, local art shows, or cultural events could help students see that art exists everywhere in the world around them. Guest artists could also inspire students by showing different styles, careers, and ways art can be meaningful. Also seeing somebody who is very talented in the art space could inspire students to put forth more effort. Even though I may not consider myself highly artistic, I still want students to experience how art connects people, cultures, and emotions.

One challenge with art in schools is often funding for supplies and experiences. To help with this, I would look into grants, school fundraisers, donations, and community partnerships. Websites such as DonorsChoose could also help teachers raise money for classroom materials. I think families and communities are often willing to support creative opportunities for students when they see how meaningful those experiences can be.

Overall, this course helped me realize that art education is not about being a professional artist. It is about helping students express themselves, explore creativity, and build confidence. Even though I still consider myself a beginner when it comes to art, I now feel more comfortable including art in my future classroom. The biggest change in my mindset was realizing that even though I am not a talented artist and my pieces lacking in flare I am getting the same experience as very talented artists. Realizing that was encouraging because it took the pressure off myself to perform and I got to enjoy the experience and just draw. That’s what I want for my students one day and now I feel that I have the tools to to help them have the same experience that I did in this class. I hope to create a learning environment where students feel safe trying new things, being creative, and learning through artistic experiences.

 References Cited

1. Eisner, E. W. (2002). The arts and the creation of mind. Yale University Press.