Reflections on Practice
Discovering the Creative Impulse: Study of the Interrelated Arts and Creativity
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Harold Popp
This paper introduces procedures and materials to assist individuals in discovering their own creativity through the interdisciplinary arts. All humans need to be involved in the creative process. Involvement in the interdisciplinary arts can explore relationships extant within the creative arts. This study researched a plethora of concepts on the creative process and its significance; research was the basis for the practical application. A university course was developed and taught at two universities over an extended time. Considerable success resulted through responses by students and professors. The course continues to be highly successful. The process (procedures) used in the course is its primary strength; content can be flexible. The approach is non-traditional but is devised to draw upon human nature/potential relating to the creative process. The success with the course, procedures, and materials developed needs to be broadly shared for future success as it impinges on creative thinking and assisting in individuals' creative expressions. This can lead to life-fulfilling processes.
Integrating Theory and Practice: A Critical Pedagogy in Art and Design Education
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Folasayo Enoch Olalere
Concerns on the interrelation of theory and practice have been manifested in several debates about the role of critical theory in art and design studio practices. There is a widely held assumption in art teaching that theory gets in the way of creativity and spontaneity, and this opposition is commonly articulated in terms of visual versus verbal intelligence. However, there are prevailing beliefs lately that, putting theory into practice encourages students to engage with complex ideas and explore related art concepts through studio activities. Hence, this paper develops a teaching and learning strategy for integrated art theory and practice. The discipline-based strategy proposed in this paper is comprised of five overlapping stages, and it is believed that a successful implementation of this strategy can help bridge the boundaries in art and design education.
Agency and Dependence: What the Anti-poverty Movement Can Learn from De-schooling Scholars
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Roseann Lydia Kerr
Are we holding on to assumptions that are supporting a system which perpetuates inequality? Through the lens of the de-schooling movement this paper questions the assumption of schooling as a universal good and explores the role of schooling in the underdevelopment of agency in the North American context. The theories of John Holt, Paulo Friere, and Ivan Illich are used to examine the role of our institutions in the development of the expert and a mistrust in the capacity of ordinary people. Within the context of modern poverty in Canada, parallels are found between the cycle of shame perpetuated by the Food Charity Model and the institutionalization of what Friere calls false generosity. How can we as intellectuals/experts challenge ourselves to consider philosophies that may provide insight into contemporary issues? Counter examples of hope in practice are presented in the form of Community Action Training facilitated through Community Food Centres Canada, as well as internationally, in the form of farmer-to-farmer pedagogical practices of the small scale sustainable agriculture movement, La Via Campesina.
