Finding Art's Place

Book excerpt: Finding Art's Place showcases three artistic/educational experiments located outside of school settings. Nicholas Paley presents the texts, voices and the teaching and learning practices of Tim Rollins + K.O.S. (Kids of Survival); the video work of Sadie Benning, the adolescent filmmaker who has won critical acclaim for her sensitive self-explorations of her lesbian sexuality; and the photographic efforts of Jim Hubbard, who shares his expertise with homeless and urban children in Washington, D.C. Finding Art's Place explores the many ways education occurs in each of these experiments. Allowing the children and young adults, their mentors and their work to speak for themselves about their educational experiences, Paley brings forward multiple standpoints on educational methodologies and materials, identity, literacy, and the configurations of art in the lives of urban youth.