Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework for this class provides for student development in the way students interact with each other, the artwork and the development of a self-identity within art. Through improvisation, exploration, making connections and gaining a greater understanding, students will learn to create interesting art artifacts as well as to contextualize their art-making within their world. The teaching method in these lessons is meant to provoke exploration and improvisation to discover new ideas and ways to connect or understand them. These verbs explain the basis of this discovery and teaching process.

Improvise: to create and perform spontaneously; to produce or make something from whatever is available. This course will allow for and encourage students to improvise in their art-making to solve problems creatively. Spontaneity and improvisation are an important part of developing one’s own artistic voice and allows for critical thinking in a relaxed environment. I don’t want to impose specific expectations of what “good art” is, so I want students to improvise with what is available to them to create an unexpected finished product.

Explore: to inquire into or discuss a subject or issue; examine or evaluate; search for resources, travel in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it. The experience of working through something unknown is important for self-discovery and ownership of an experience or idea. Through exploring different artists, media, concepts, students will create their own learning experiences by exploring and discovering what is important to them. We will also examine and evaluate art through a critical lens and learn to talk about it individually and as a class.

Connect: to join together so as to provide access and communication; to form a relationship or feel an affinity. I believe that art is about making connections. Through this course I hope that students will connect with history, art, and each other. They will learn to connect art to their life, culture, and foreign cultures. I hope they will make connections between art and their other studies, interests, and hobbies. They will find ways to make connections and create relationships and form a way to communicate those connections.

Understand: to perceive the intended meaning, significance, explanation; infer something from information received. As we look at different artists and each other’s work we will learn to understand conceptual meaning or the artist’s intention. This course will help students to infer concepts from looking at an artwork, as well as defining a stance about how they feel or understand the artwork. I also hope this course will help students to have a greater understanding for people, especially those that are different than themselves, and increase empathy.