The Way of the Artist Educator: Understanding the Fusion of Artistic Studio Practice and Teaching Pedagogy of K-12 Visual Arts Educators

Author

Christopher M. Strickland, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-19-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education

First Advisor

M. Francine Jennings

Second Advisor

Martha Barry McKenna

Third Advisor

Jane E. Dalton

Abstract

The purpose of this autoethnographic study was to examine the experiences of Artist Educators and how they perceive the fusion of their artistic studio practice and teaching pedagogy impacts their creative and teaching practices. This study involved a focus group of six individuals, including the researcher. All the participants were practicing artists, currently employed or recently retired K-12 Visual Arts Education certified in the states of Maine or New Hampshire and members of the Kittery Art Association. This study used a combination of interviews and an arts-based method for data collection. All the data were analyzed and resulted in the following seven findings: (1) The identity of an Artist Educator is synchronized with a call to a vocation.

(2) The necessity to create art and teach art simultaneously was intrinsic for Artist Educators. (3) Artist Educators lived a creative life and believed it to be a personal practice that cannot be taught. (4) Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors and conditions can inhibit an Artist Educator’s practice. (5) Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors and conditions supported the practice of an Artist Educator. (6) Artist Educators cultivated quality relationships for teaching and learning by fusing their artistic studio practice and teaching pedagogy. (7) Artist Educators fostered life lessons and embodied wisdom from the fusion of their artistic studio practice and teaching pedagogy. These findings and insights acquired have implications for visual arts education practice and arts educator professional development programs. The Way of the Artist Educator paradigm offers an alternative approach for a quality and holistic 21^st Century Visual Arts Education.

Key words: Artist Educator, identity, motivation, creativity, fusion, practice

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Language

English

Number of Pages

206

Embargo Period

5-31-2018

Recommended Citation

Strickland, Christopher M., "The Way of the Artist Educator: Understanding the Fusion of Artistic Studio Practice and Teaching Pedagogy of K-12 Visual Arts Educators" (2018). Educational Studies Dissertations. 135.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/education_dissertations/135