Art, Sustainability and Learning Communities : Call to Action

Presents a case for strong learning communities that take a clear political stand in favor of socially engaged art pedagogies.

The main aim of Art, Sustainability and Learning Communities is to show how shared spaces for exchange in the fields of art education and continuous professional development can reflect, inspire, and integrate sustainability principles that are becoming crucial in today’s world. The authors propose the idea that coordinated action can lead to a more sustainable future by promoting a sense of community, lifelong learning, and confidence in the possibility of changing current conditions.

Its three parts combine expertise in visual arts education, education for sustainable development, contemporary art practice, and sustainability activism. While Part I focuses on literature in the field and the interrelation of different disciplines, Part II provides concrete examples of professional learning communities and pedagogies that can be used to enrich the field of art education. Finally, Part III presents brief case studies illustrating international projects by contemporary artists, curators, environmentalists, and others, providing educators with several inspirational models of concrete and creative action.
 

Raphael Vella is professor of art education and socially engaged arts in the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta.

Victoria Pavlou is associate professor of visual arts education in the Department of Education at Frederick University, Cyprus.