Creative Vacuums Suck: Using Problem-Posing to Connect Diverse Identities in Arts Education & OutreachS. Rebeqa Rivers
Who selects which established knowledge from history to use in arts education and outreach? Culturally biased definitions of quality and established knowledge produce a creative vacuum and prohibit artistic diversity. Additionally, traditional approaches to education and outreach can propagate historic systems of oppression and bias, leaving many voices missing or minimized in mainstream arts conversations. Consequently, many people do not see their identities reflected in the arts or feel empowered to participate. This session explores collaborative, problem-posing approaches to arts education and outreach that challenge political patterns of exclusion. Problem-posing generates dialogue and requires us to examine the relevance of established knowledge against a range of diverse identities. This session will also examine successful examples of problem-posing arts education and outreach. By cultivating responsive conversation, arts education and outreach can move away from the creative vacuum of culturally biased knowledge to enfranchise a more equitable, vibrant, and global community.
Enabling Change, Encouraging Challenge
Ellen Rosewall
Today's arts managers are facing the same challenges as many other industries - the emergence of new audience participation patterns, fluid organizational structures, and changing social norms. On her recent sabbatical, Ellen Rosewall visited with organizations around the country who are innovating, and used these conversations as a base for research on how the arts are developing new programs, new structures, and new ways of participation in the arts. This session will explore some ways we can work with our students to engage them in the task of rethinking the arts for 21st century arts and audiences. (Spoiler alert: it does not involve lowering artistic quality)