Community-Based Art Education Across the Lifespan

Book excerpt: This book is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of Community-Based Art Education (CBAE). CBAE encourages learners to make connections between their art education in a classroom setting and its application in the community beyond school, with demonstrable examples of how the arts impact responsible citizenship. Written by and for visual art educators, this resource offers guidance on how to thoughtfully and successfully execute CBAE in the pre-K–12 classroom and with adult learners, taking a broad view towards intergenerational art learning. Chapters include vignettes, exemplars of practice, curriculum examples that incorporate the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards, and research frameworks for developing, implementing, and assessing CBAE projects. “This is the book I have been waiting for—carefully researched, thought-provoking, and inspiring.” —Lily Yeh, Barefoot Artists Inc. “A practical guide for community-based art education that is theoretically grounded in social justice. Insightful suggestions for working with communities, planning, creating transformative learning, and evaluating outcomes are based in the authors’ deep experience. This book is a timely and welcome volume that will be indispensable to individuals and community organizations working in the arts for positive change.” —Elizabeth Garber, professor emeritus, University of Arizona