Art Education: Fostering of Creativity

Artist Els Kampert with her blow torch working on a painting

Art Education: Fostering of Creativity

This article has 12 points, 6 more than we usually have, but we will make it a little more snappy. Let's start with saying the role of art education in fostering creativity is profound and multifaceted. Art education not only provides individuals with technical skills but also nurtures their ability to think creatively, problem-solve, and express themselves. Here, we'll delve into how art education plays a pivotal role in fostering creativity. Now Tascha, you say. I am not interested in making art I want to buy art, or appreciate it. And to that I answer, you will enhance your appreciation for art in attempting to make it as well. Making and looking at art are two complimentary sides of a coin. And artists are often the second largest group of art collectors, because of the following 12 points. 

1. Encouraging Self-Expression:

It is actually quite hard to articulate the vastness of the human experience. Even harder is actually letting yourself feel it. Art education provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas freely. Through various art forms, students learn how to communicate and share their inner worlds without the constraints of traditional language. By creating or interpreting a creation we get to practice saying the unsaid through our different senses.

Artist Adéle du Plessis working on an artwork in her garden. "This is not a flower" it is a painting of a sketch of a flower. Incorporating some of Plato's Mimesis theory or if you like channeling Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte.

2. Exploring Diverse Perspectives:

We all know the expression, "don't judge until you have walked a mile in another person shoe"? Well that is what art allows you to do. I am talking books, movies, and the visual arts. This is why representation matters in all forms of art and art spaces. The exposure to other people's lived experiences or visual interpretation of the world, encourages us to explore different perspectives and gain a deeper appreciation for diversity and inclusivity. It makes us more empathetic and better people.

3. Developing Problem-Solving Skills:

The creative process in art involves identifying problems, experimenting with different solutions, and making decisions based on visual feedback. This approach to problem-solving is transferable to other areas of life, fostering adaptability and critical thinking. This is as much true for the artist, as well as the people exploring the art made. For the art lover, understanding the process often let's us appreciate the art all the more. Also following the first line of the paragraph is how neuroscientists encourage us to practice neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is just a fancy way to say that our brains are wired to act, adjust, act until we succeed to abandon a project or activity. This is how our brain grows and we change. The actual thing that causes inflammation in the brain is; inaction. Not failing. So making art and adjusting for mistakes made allows us to grow and learn in a very safe environment. 

Families chatting at artist Marko Klomp's painting at his show Perseverance. To the left is a painting named Sunrise I .

4. Building Confidence

As students create art and receive constructive feedback, they develop confidence in their abilities. This newfound self-assurance can extend beyond the art studio, empowering individuals to take risks and pursue their creative endeavors with determination. This is also being open to longer period of constructive feedback in the growth period of a new skill. Taking in constructive feedback about something so close to your personal life, like making art, also helps you know who you want feedback from and whom you don't. This is a practice that translates to normal life too. Again the stakes for art is low in normal life, but also very personal, so also extremely high. 

5. Cultivating Imagination

Art education encourages students to tap into their imaginations and think beyond the ordinary. This imaginative thinking fuels innovation and inspires individuals to dream, envision, and conceptualize new ideas. Again this comes back to the neuroplasticity of our brains, it grows with action. Even if that action is a drawing, a sculpture or movement of the body to release feelings inside our bodies. 

6. Enhancing Observation Skills

Art classes often emphasize experimentation and pushing boundaries. Students are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. This fosters a willingness to try new things and embrace the unknown. The same for the viewers of art, our curiosity into an art piece to explore and practice our own observational skills.

"Ghost of you" a painting that might be considered experimental by the artist Fiona J. Williams

7. Enhancing Observation Skills

Art requires keen observation of the world around us. Through drawing, painting, or sculpting, students learn to observe details, proportions, and relationships. These observational skills can be applied in various contexts, from scientific research to problem-solving in everyday life.

Why should I buy art?  An article on the plus points of engaging with art.

The Benefits of Art in the Workplace a more in depth article on the benefits of art in a workplace or even home.

8. Developing Fine Motor Skills

Engaging in art activities, especially at a young age, helps develop fine motor skills. The precision required for drawing, painting, and sculpting enhances hand-eye coordination and dexterity. We are also easy to criticise art, but practicing the fine motor skills needed it becomes more apparent when art is genuinely bad, or sometimes purposefully drawn in a way that is not pretty. By making art, we become aware between the connection and our mind and the difference in technique, vision and ability.

"Circle of Life" by Negar Rashidi combines her skills to create stunning 3D imagery. She often collaborates with Maravillas in their bespoke plates collection.

9. Encouraging Collaboration

Art classes often involve group projects or collaborative activities. This teaches students how to work effectively with others, share ideas, and compromise to achieve a common artistic goal. But most art is either done alone, but many amateur artists love creating a group, because ideas are bounced of each other in real time and innovation happens between the different artists. This is also why some people advocate for in person offices or research centres. Collaboration is often the driver of innovation. But they forget one part that drives that, that is something called collision theory. It is used in offices, museums and laboratories to increase the likelihood of collaboration and therefore innovation.

Collision theory is was historically spontaneous, but no the theory is used to fabricate environments where two unrelated ideas coming together to create something new. Now I mentioned museums, some of their exhibitions are set up in a way so you will continuously cross path with other museum goers, therefore increasing your enjoyment of the show through that repetitive contact with a stranger. In labs, they hope scientist from different fields will meet over coffee or as they walk to their respective labs and start collaborating.  I do not know what I want to say with this paragraph. Just I guess that fostering community and collaboration is at the heart of innovation and mental health.

10. Fostering Resilience

Creating art can be challenging, and not every piece will turn out as planned. Art education teaches students to persevere, adapt, and learn from setbacks—a valuable life lesson in resilience. Again this comes back how our brains are wired. Act, adjust - succeed. Just practice acting by creating art, can help us get out of the planning without acting mindset some people can get into. Helping us to practice resilience.

Details from miniature artworks by Thea van Doorn from her Woman and Dog Series. A series of miniature artwork created by her over a period of over a decade. They are in as much a grounding exercise as they are works of art.

11. Connecting Emotions and Art

Art can serve as a therapeutic outlet for processing emotions. Art education helps students understand how emotions can be channeled into creative expression, providing a healthy way to cope with stress and difficulties. I like to draw, but I do not offer these drawings for sale. I also like to draw with my children, they talk easier with me while colouring or drawing. These are also not for sale. They are however very valuable tool within my relationships with people I love.

12. Encouraging a Lifelong Love of Learning

Art education instills a love of learning and curiosity about the world. It teaches students that there are always new techniques, styles, and ideas to explore, promoting a lifelong passion for creativity and self-discovery. Also art is only art if it can capture your imagination through multiple shifts in our understanding of the world. When an artwork is no longer engaging and is lost to the world under the bed, without a viewer it stops being art. Our curiosity is what keeps art alive. The way we can explore our own thoughts of the world through the visual cues it gives. 

So to finish off

In summary, art education is not just about teaching people how to draw or paint; it is about nurturing creativity, fostering personal growth, and equipping individuals with skills and mindsets that are valuable across various facets of life. But art education as it is practiced by artist, also is meaningful to those who appreciate art or collect it. It is also just a valuable human tool for life. By providing a platform for self-expression and encouraging experimentation, art education empowers individuals to think creatively, adapt to challenges, and embrace the beauty of diverse perspectives in a rapidly changing world.

Caveat, sometimes this may mean we look to reaffirm knowledge we were taught in our youths. There is also supposed to be a critical part as well as growth in our knowledge, not cementing of our knowledge we expect to be regurgitated. 

Art Education is a safe way to practice neuroplasticity, ACT, ADJUST, SUCCEED (or abandon to succeed in other endeavours).