Democratic Habits in the Art Classroom

This volume explores the ways in which practicing K–12 art educators can engage with students to develop democratic habits. The contributors present case studies based on action research conducted in their own classrooms as part of their master’s in arts education. The text is divided into three sections that correspond to habits the author-teachers cultivated in their classroom: choice, voice, and caring for community. Each author presents real-world examples for development of not only art skills, but also ways of being and interacting that allow humans to contribute meaningfully to the world. Readers will hear from art educators who strive to teach their students ownership and empowerment through problem-solving, independence, and responsibility. This timely book shows how art education is a bastion of freedom in public education, where students and teachers can think and act collaboratively and critically.

Book Features:

• Offers examples of transformative teaching that give students voice, choice, and opportunities to care for community.
• Provides theory as well as replicable models that teachers can use.
• Addresses the difficulty of balancing student and teacher needs within the politically embattled field of education.
• Shares the voices of art educators in Midwest classrooms ranging from elementary to high school, rural to urban communities.

Elizabeth Sutton is professor of art history and head of the Department of Art at the University of Northern Iowa.

“Democratic Habits in the Art Classroom, edited by Elizabeth Sutton, explores the crucial connections among art, critical thinking, and civic engagement that are necessary for the well-being of democratic societies. The contributors, all practicing art educators, provide analyses and inspiring examples for empowering students to express themselves freely and thoughtfully. In a time when student and teacher voices are being silenced in education, this book is a valuable resource for promoting democratic values and habits essential to preparing a knowledgeable and discerning citizenry.”
—Doug Blandy, professor emeritus, University of Oregon

“Centering the practical insights of art teachers, this collection highlights the experiences of educators who uplift student-centered creativity and nurture community in their classrooms. Filled with practical examples of how art-making is a vital space for democratic practices, the book shows us that it is possible to cultivate communities of care and compassion if we only listen to and affirm young people. Democratic Habits in the Art Classroom is a wonderful resource for new and veteran teachers who seek to encourage agency, imagination, and collaboration in their teaching.”
—Marit Dewhurst, director of art education and professor, City College of New York

“This rich collection of essays offers important and useful medicine for our schools and communities that are currently so beleaguered. The words of these innovative and skilled art educators will inspire others to help their students develop art projects and visions that ground us in our connection to one another and to the natural world in this challenging time.”
—Beverly Naidus, professor emerita of interdisciplinary studio arts, University of Washington, Tacoma

Contents (Tentative)

Introduction: Actualizing the Promise
Elizabeth Sutton

Part I. Choice-Based Classrooms Section Introduction
Samantha Goss

1. Including All Voices in Learning: Peer-to-Peer Verbal Conversations in the Elementary Art Room
Elizabeth S. Bloomburg

2. Using Meaningful Themes to Guide a Choice-Based Approach to Art Education
Sandra C. Nyberg

3. Learning Choices: Students in a Flipped Art Room
Kathryn Christensen

Part II. Nurturing Self-Efficacy and Voice Section Introduction
Samantha Goss

4. How Art Journaling and Studio Habits of Mind Encourage Personal Connections in High School Art Making
Heather Walker

5. Enhancing Elementary Student Voice Through Art and Advocacy
Maddison O. Maddock

6. Self-Efficacy: Empowering Young Artists
Jodi Fenton

Part III. Building Communities That Care Section Introduction
Samantha Goss

7. Art to the Rescue! Exploring Arts-Based Service Learning
Ashley M. Cardamone

8. Cultivating Connections Through Community Art
Lauren Roush

9. Collaborative Art Making Between 4th-Graders and Community Partners and its Impact on School Culture
Michelle Cox

10. Networks Supporting Art Education
Wendy Miller

11. Defending the Useless: A Neighborhood in Flux
Jeff Rufus Byrd

Contributor Biographies

Index