Artistic Pedagogies: Encouraging Imaginative and Creative Learning

Abstract

Artistic Literacies (AL) are an invitation to imagine life experiences through tapestried and multifaceted learning lenses. AL can inform key global competencies such as connection to self, connection to the land, communication, creativity and critical thinking. These lenses of learning include psychological, philosophical, artistic, ecological, historical and sociocultural dimensions. AL opens vistas of creativity and imagination for today’s culturally diverse learners. The classroom can be viewed as an artistic atelier where a spirit of inventiveness, play, exploration and creativity can emerge. Artistic literacy texts include visual arts images, creative writing, drama, music, dance, poetry and collage. An exploration of varied artistic pedagogies is one way to tap into culturally diverse learners’ multimodal talents and strengths. Creative assessment opportunities encourage multimodal learning. In this chapter, the authors provide examples of artistic texts that can encourage a deeper -level of learning, empathy, and creative across a range of English language arts skill areas. In the first part of this chapter, specific examples that connect visual art images to environmental literacies and the development of emotional intelligence skills are highlighted. In the second part of this chapter, drama and dance are explored as a method for interactive storytelling, utilising the body as a canvas to communicate and convey meaning. Through this process, learners (teachers and students) become creators, designers and artists who can re-imagine texts in new ways that engage a range of sensory experiences. The authors take the position that literacies are dynamic, interdisciplinary and potentially transformative.