| This creative project is a teaching and art creation project. It includes the teaching and learning of aesthetics, art production, documentation and display of student activity and a creation of a course curriculum teaching aesthetics in art at the secondary school level. Teaching this curriculum in aesthetics can inspire, excite, challenge and awaken the senses. It teaches students how to think, provides them with an opportunity to be passionate and imaginative, and appreciate the beauty and nature in their world---the things that make us human.;Scholars, art educators, philosophers, art critics and artists have acknowledged the need for understanding the benefit of acquiring an aesthetic sensibility. Although they have different approaches to the teaching and learning of aesthetics, I have found myself, after many years of teaching and studying their theories, in deepening agreement with the need and importance of aesthetic education. Tragically and all too often the visual and performing arts are considered the "extras' or "frills" of curriculum, and not given the importance they should have. I believe creative expression, critical and analytical thinking and the close observations associated with the teaching and learning of aesthetics in art are skills that can be applied to all academic disciplines and develop higher level thinking skills in secondary school students. Curriculum in aesthetics should be a required course in secondary education. |
