Art curriculum and practice in Greek primary schools: A critical overview of current state

Author(s):

Vasiliki Labitsi

Conference:

ECER 2008

Network:

3. Curriculum Innovation by Schools and Teachers

Format:

Paper

Session Information

03 SES 04, Media and Art

Paper Session

Time:

2008-09-10

16:00-17:30

Room:

B2 216

Chair:

Birgit Pepin

Contribution

Art education is considered as a rather neglected subject in Greek Primary education and primary teachers tend to lack training and experience in art teaching (Vaos, 2000; Labitsi, 2000; Labitsi, 2007). The current Greek National Curriculum and the new art textbooks introduced in 2003 and 2007 respectively (M.N.E..R.A., 2003; 2007 a,b,c) suggest that the Greek Ministry of Education is starting to react to some recent international art education trends (Sharp and Dust, 1997; Kindler, 1999; Freedman and Stuhr, 2004; Anning and Ring, 2004; Wilson, 2003). For example, it suggests the range of subject matter should be extended to include a diversity of art forms and conceptualises art as a form of visual communication. It suggests students should engage with the world of professional artists and unlike primary art education practices in the past it puts emphasis to art appreciation and knowledge activities alongside art making.

Expected Outcomes

In this paper I describe the main characteristics of the new art curriculum and students’ textbooks and discuss them in the light of contemporary international art education arguments and trends. Moreover, I question the extent to which the new art textbooks are implemented in schools and can contribute substantially to raising the status of art in primary education in Greece given that teachers lack experience and confidence in art teaching and have not received substantial training in response to the new curriculum initiative. Finally, I make suggestions for future teacher and curriculum development in art.

References

Anning, A. and K. Ring, 2004. Making Sense of Children’s Drawings. Maidenshead, Berkshire and New York: Open University Press. Freedman, K. and P. Stuhr 2004. ‘Curriculum Change for the 21st Century: Visual Culture in Art Education’. In Handbook of Research and Policy in Art Education, ed. E. Eisner and M. Day, 815-828. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Kindler, A. 1999. From Endpoints to Repertoires: Challenge to Art Education. Studies in Art Education Vol.40, No.4: 330-349. Labitsi, V. 2000. An Investigation into the Art Education Practices, Strengths, Problems, Professional Needs and Views of Greek Primary School Teachers. MA diss., University of Surrey Roehampton. Labitsi, V. 2007. An Investigation into Visual Narrative in Children’s Books and Drawings. PhD diss., University of Surrey Roehampton. M.N.E.R.A. (Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs-Pedagogical Insitute). 2003. F.E.K. Vol. B, No. 303/13-03-03. Athens: Pedagogical Institute. M.N.E.R.A. (Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs-Pedagogical Insitute). 2007. Art 1 & 2 Grade. Athens: Organisation of Educational Books Publications. M.N.E.R.A. (Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs-Pedagogical Insitute). 2007. Art 3 & 4 Grade. Athens: Organisation of Educational Books Publications. M.N.E.R.A. (Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs-Pedagogical Insitute). 2007. Art 5 & 6 Grade. Athens: Organisation of Educational Books Publications. Sharp, C. and K. Dust. 1997. Artists in Schools: A Handbook for Teachers and Artists. Slough: National Foundation for Educational Research. Vaos, A. 2000. Art in Greek Education: Historical Overview in the Teaching of Art. Athens: Ellinika Grammata. Wilson, B., 2003. Of Diagrams and Rhizomes: Visual Culture, Contemporary Art, and the Impossibility of Mapping the Content of Art Education. Studies in Art Education Vol.44, No.3: 214-229.

Author Information

Vasiliki Labitsi

Greek Ministry of Education

Oropos

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