Introducing: My Arts Education Blog
I will soon be refocusing my blog to reflect my interest in K-12 Arts Education, in addition to the topics of art & design that I have blogged and tweeted about in the past.
Here’s the reason:
Before resuming my career as a professional artist and graphic designer, I enrolled in the Art Education Master’s program at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. For various reasons, prior to completing the program, I decided to receive a Master’s in Studio Art instead of Education.
While I am extremely happy with my decision to return to the world of web design & photography, I have never lost sight of what drew me to art education in the first place.
I feel that art education is vitally important in our schools and in the cognitive development of children and teenagers. Arts education builds self confidence and self understanding in children and teens by encouraging students to stretch their mental boundaries and invent unique solutions to problems (to which there is often more than one right answer) in a safe, creative environment which encourages “outside the box” thinking and individuality.
Even if a student never intends to have anything to do with art beyond high school, the creative thinking skills practiced in art class are destined to help them no matter which career path they choose.
In this day and age of recessions and budget cuts, I felt a strong need to add my voice to the greater conversation surrounding the importance of Arts Education in our schools. By posting interviews, ideas and viewpoints from educators, students, and working artists, I hope at the very least, to provide a place where teachers and students can go for ideas & inspiration, helping them to feel a little more connected to the bigger picture of arts education in America.
I will be spending the next week or two compiling & sifting through the articles and interviews I have received and will begin posting in earnest.
If you are an artist or educator who would like to participate, please contact me at taylor@taylorgillis.com or on Twitter @taylorgillis. I will send you more specific content needs. I look forward to hearing from you!
