FUTURES
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The ‘future’ is always uncertain and subject to the influence of unforeseen events and directives, promulgated by the few with consequences for the many. Over the period of the authors’ contribution to the future of art education we have seen the positive excitement of new thinking and a ‘reconceptualization’ of the possible. Coinciding with the emergence of the various digital technologies and what became ‘social media’ the future appeared expansive in deed and content. However, the breadth of possibilities was unfortunately short lived, in terms of the envisaged diversity, as the so-called National Curriculum promoted standardization over interpretation. For art education the notion of ‘entitlement’ served to supplant creative teaching with compliance and further structural accountability through examination. Arguably, the UK’s examination system became conformist and predictable and moved further from the parent disciplines (Art, Design, Craft, Interdisciplinary creative research) which are characterised as essentially ‘risk taking’.
An opportunity for this generation of digital literate young learners appears to have been lost, as in a climate of disillusion and despondency, few seek to experiment with an alternative to the status quo. A belief in the ‘pendulum principle’ offers, in our opinion, some solace as what sometimes follows restraint and narrow definitions is a greater preparedness to change direction. We would like to think that the Futures section may play some small part in the re-evaluation process.
An opportunity for this generation of digital literate young learners appears to have been lost, as in a climate of disillusion and despondency, few seek to experiment with an alternative to the status quo. A belief in the ‘pendulum principle’ offers, in our opinion, some solace as what sometimes follows restraint and narrow definitions is a greater preparedness to change direction. We would like to think that the Futures section may play some small part in the re-evaluation process.
Conversations
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Past-Present Futures
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Inter-Disciplinary Art
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