Picasso had it right when he said, "Every child is an artist", but he also added, "The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up!" For some, the visual arts have been viewed as an easy alternative to the core curriculum. What many do not consider is that the visual arts not only offer a rich opportunity to engage children in higher order thinking but are also an opportunity of teaching children to look closely to see their world. To analyse, synthesise and to create a representation that is personal, creative and expressive. The challenge is to give children the confidence to believe in their creative talent and to honour their own and others' work so as to allow their ideas to flow freely and not allow the filters of doubt to enter their head. One only has to observe a 5 year old painting to see a truly untainted take on the world. Art naturally links so well with all aspects of the curriculum, particularly science.
It takes very special people to create this type of learning environment. They are the gold of the education world. They are truly education alchemists.
The visual arts much like poetry and literature challenges what we perceive as reality and opens the mind. There lies it's intrinsic value and it is by no means easy to teach because it also challenges societal norms and political correctness in a world that seems to value conventional thinking over independent thought.
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