Learning Things: Material Culture in Art Education

This is the first comprehensive book to connect art education to material culture―an evolving pedagogy about the meaning of “things” in the lives of children, youth, and adults. Written by luminaries in the field, this resource explores a range of objects exemplifying material culture, defined as “the human-formed objects, spaces, and expressions that make up our world and are frequently the articles we construct and/or possess for the purpose of personal memory making and the shaping of individual or group identity.” Through activities, approaches, and examples, Blandy and Bolin highlight concrete strategies for incorporating material culture into higher education and K–16 classrooms, as well as museum and community settings. Chapters are organized around various aspects of material culture, including object study, the role of technology, and multisensory art. This accessible book will serve as an informational resource, instructional guide, and motivational catalyst for art educators interested in using material culture in their unique context.

Book Features:

• Provides both theory and practice in the first comprehensive book relating art education to material culture studies.
• Extends the scope of art education beyond the sight-based focus of visual culture to include the role material forms play in our cultural experiences.
• Offers teaching strategies that will help students critically engage with a wide range of objects in contemporary society.
• Includes historical and contemporary examples chosen to resonate in the everyday lives of readers.