Art Education

Throughout every walk of life we are told that art is the child of creativity. As a student, we know that this isn't true; anyone can be an artist. Art, as a child, is usually fun and full of freedom, we are given the reins to expand our mind onto paper or fabric. However the governments and schools have took the life and individualism out of art, for me and many of my peers.

When we are feeling most happy in art, is when we get to create on our own accord, albeit a personal project at home; yet studying at college has made me question my career path. In college, we are encouraged not to be creative, imagination seemingly "doesn't exist" it all has to be about research and everything has to have meaning behind it, a cause. Projects are built around the study of other artists, we aren't allowed to produce work if we haven't had inspiration from other artists. It's funny how plagiarism is shunned yet we are forced to steal ideas from other artists work; are we not allowed to create a piece of clothing or paint a picture from our own self experimentation? From our own imagination? No? How creative.

Another factor is the writing. Since when is art about writing? An art piece could feature words, yes; but to explain your whole meaning and idea? In my own personal preference I like to create art and fashion in the hopes it makes my target audience question it. It kind of defeats the purpose if we write an entire essay and evaluation on what everything means and who inspired us and "What artists did you use the techniques of?" I know I'm no Leonardo Da Vinci, but did he write a big explanation about the Mona Lisa, explaining every method and detail? No, and that is what is most intriguing about his masterpieces. "Who is the Mona Lisa?" The audience questions.

I feel that the government and the board of education feel the need to be able to grade everything, to know what you are talking about as to not look stupid. If we write about what we do then they don't need government officials who study and understand art; all they need is a board of gentlemen who have a degree in politics. We are given guidelines on what is a pass and a fail, what is good and bad. But not everyone does art the same, not everyone likes to show progress in a sketchbook and this is why the education of art is wrong. You cannot be educated in art. There should be no guidelines to art because everyone works differently. You cannot grade a piece of art because it hasn't been made to be graded, it is either liked by a large audience or loved by a minority.

The "education" of art needs to be changed. And it needs to change now. Bring back the creativity and individualism of art. Or expect to see the same techniques and art styles for the rest of time.