Second Edition
Publication Date: March 28, 2025
Pages: 240
This is an updated edition of the first book to focus on teaching visual culture. The author provides the theoretical and practical basis for developing a curriculum that lays the groundwork for art education at all levels (K–12 and higher education) and across school subjects. Drawing on material, social, cognitive, aesthetic, and curricular theories, Freedman offers a framework for teaching the visual arts from a cultural standpoint. Chapters discuss visual culture in a democracy; aesthetics in curriculum; philosophical and historical considerations; recent changes in the field of art history; connections between art, student development, and cognition; art inside and outside of school; the role of fine arts in curriculum; visual technologies; television as the national curriculum; student artistic production and assessment; and much more. New content includes applications of new materialism, ways to document and assess tacit knowledge in students, and uses of AI image generation.
Book Features:
Kerry Freedman is a professor of art and design education at Northern Illinois University.
"Teaching Visual Culture by Kerry Freedman is an essential resource for educators and art practitioners. It highlights the transformative role of visual culture in shaping identities, promoting critical thinking, and fostering democratic education. This second edition masterfully combines theoretical knowledge with practical strategies, empowering educators to integrate visual literacy and interdisciplinary learning in an increasingly image-driven society."
—Ami Kantawala, assistant adjunct professor, Teachers College, Columbia University
“This book is an outstanding resource for art education scholars and students seeking to comprehend and implement contemporary art education curricula. It presents a well-researched theoretical framework that serves as a solid foundation for engaging with visual art forms, aesthetics, and the complexities of cultural production. This book not only enhances the understanding of art education but also empowers educators to innovate and elevate their teaching practices. It is an essential read for anyone dedicated to advancing the field of art education and inspiring the next generation of artists and thinkers.”
—Ryan Shin, professor, College of Fine Arts, The University of Arizona
“The first edition of this important book saw the field of art education in a state of reconceptualization. The question then involved what should be taught about visual culture in a contemporary democracy and globalized society. Over 20 years later, this question remains more important than ever. This second edition, then, is timely, with new reflections on culturally sustaining pedagogy, new materialism, metamodernism, and situated learning, as well as color images and examples from students and practicing artists. All the while, Freedman focuses on what made the original edition so valuable to art education through the updated application of these theories to practice in multiple contexts and at all levels.”
-- Jeffrey L. Broome, professor and director of PhD Program in Art Education, Florida State University
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