Vanessa Stott

Art 133
T/R 1-2:50 pm
November 2, 2017
Unit Paper 5
Art in todays day and age has become more scarce and unvalued with students. With the

big idea; structures and systems and the notion to have to follow rules and guidelines steers off

young art leaners to not have the chance or lessons to understand that art is critical. According to

Eisner (2002), he had ten lessons for the Arts to teach that are essential in aiding students to

allow art to be engaging and educating. Good judgements lead into qualitative relationships

between piers. Within structures and systems rules should be allowed to be broken, there is more

than one answer and more than one solution to problem solving. The arts accept multiple

perspectives so structures and systems need to be adaptive in that aspect. However, such

structures help keep boundaries within different circumstances. Thinking outside the box is a

good thing in art because it teaches students that small differences can have large effects.

(Eisner, 2002, pg. 29). Following that the arts teach students to discover a variety of learning in

their other curriculum and through structures and systems there comes freedom.

In a recent studio investigation I was able to experience what it was like to have to follow

a structure and system in art. Using lines, circles and dots on paper and the materials included

like a grease pencil, ink and more, I was to follow instructions of how and where to place and

draw or paint such lines, circles etc. I feel that structures and systems go together with 21st

century approaches of choice based art. In my classroom, I would use modified choice to allow

such guidelines like the ones I used but to allow students to use the materials without

instructions. I like the materials used and the allowance of using any type of paper but I would
adapt to letting students to use color as well using different drawing pencils and paint. Also even

using chalk on black matte paper and adapting the same instructions. I feel that within structures

and systems I see variation of how they are approached and then performed can be beneficial

using the right skills and lessons.

References:

Eisner, E. (2002). The arts and the creation of mind. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

National Art Education Association. National Art Education Association,

www.arteducators.org/.