Collaborative Arts, Creative Research, and Youth Engagement in Social Justice Practices

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This session will contribute a more critical understanding of what it means to engage with youth in art and creative practices toward social justice aims in education. We offer four research studies where youth used art as a means for social change through various modalities, including: script-writing, drama, theatrical performance, film, public art with critical dialogue, literature, and visual art. These arts and creative research practices speak directly to the call for educational research that reflects and supports: “The Dreams, Possibilities, and Necessity of Public Education.” Together, the authors articulate the ways in which they engaged with youth through art to radically imagine alternative possibilities, ideas of what might be and who they may become, grounded in equity and justice.

Sub Unit

• Division B - Curriculum Studies / Division B - Section 4: People and Politics (The Who of Curriculum)

Chair

• Sara Schroeter, University of Regina

Papers

• Playing With Pedagogy: Drama for Social Change With Street Youth - Amanda C. Wager, Lesley University

• Becoming Activists: Re/imagining Places of Possibility With Youth - Kristen P. Goessling, The Pennsylvania State University - Brandywine

• Building Agency Through Participatory Action Research and Collaborative Learning - Dana E. Wright, Connecticut College

• Social Justice Art: A Framework for Activist Art Pedagogy - Marit Dewhurst, City College of New York - CUNY

Discussant

• Theresa Rogers, The University of British Columbia