“The process orientation of works of art invites our students into a conversation around real questions—questions that do not have right or wrong answers but may lead to new questions that propel the progress both of the making of a work and the understanding of works by others.” Making Room for the Arts - Jessica Davis
This quote from Jessica Hoffmann Davis is something I find extremely central to my teaching philosophies. She speaks about how students in art classes can learn so much from the process of creating. It’s one thing to observe art or watch a show or read a book, but creating those things can take a lot of effort and thought. By teaching students how to create something of their own– even something small, they can appreciate the work that does go into creative processes, see art that they enjoy in a whole new light, and get some of the satisfaction that comes with completing a project. It teaches them how to manage time, how to set expectations for what the final outcome will be, and truly test their skill level as they can get more and more complex with projects as time goes on. A work of art can require planning, strategy. These are super important skills to learn for even just everyday life when it comes to task management.
Understanding how art is made creates well rounded individuals, especially when they can attempt to understand how others came to their ideas and interpretations of works. It opens us up to a variety of viewpoints. It can take a whole team to make a work of art, and the social and intellectual skill that comes with it is invaluable.