Learning Together: Art Education and Community
September 6–December 14, 2024
Gallery 400, University of Illinois Chicago
Co-organized with Inés Arango-Guinge and Lorelei Stewart
Paulina Camacho and Nicole Marroquin, Margaret Burroughs, Casa Aztlan, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Chicago Public Art Group, Community TV Network, Diana Solis, Dixon Elementary School, Faheem Majeed, Gallery 37, Jordan Knecht, Keith Haring, Little Black Pearl, Pros Arts Studio, Spiral Workshop, Stockyard Institute, Yollocalli Arts Reach
Over the last century, Chicago has led the nation in progressive arts education for K-12 students, as teachers and their students linked art education to movements for social justice, access, and self-determination. In the first broad telling of this history, Learning Together centers the progressive art pedagogy of a diverse group of Chicago artist educators from the mid-1960s through the 2010s, highlighting the unique pedagogical practices of educators working across Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Artworks co-created by students and educators, sketchbooks, ephemera, and images of public artworks in situ in and around K-12 schools are paired with teaching artists’ artwork inspired by their work with Chicago’s youth.
Culminating three years of research, including an extensive archive of oral histories with artist educators and contemporary artists active since the 1970s to the present, Learning Together presents unique projects highlighting how arts pedagogy has fostered creativity and imagination, autonomy, cultural heritage, and organizing across Chicago Public Schools, alternative school networks, and community organizations.
September 6–December 14, 2024
Gallery 400, University of Illinois Chicago
Co-organized with Inés Arango-Guinge and Lorelei Stewart
Paulina Camacho and Nicole Marroquin, Margaret Burroughs, Casa Aztlan, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Chicago Public Art Group, Community TV Network, Diana Solis, Dixon Elementary School, Faheem Majeed, Gallery 37, Jordan Knecht, Keith Haring, Little Black Pearl, Pros Arts Studio, Spiral Workshop, Stockyard Institute, Yollocalli Arts Reach
Over the last century, Chicago has led the nation in progressive arts education for K-12 students, as teachers and their students linked art education to movements for social justice, access, and self-determination. In the first broad telling of this history, Learning Together centers the progressive art pedagogy of a diverse group of Chicago artist educators from the mid-1960s through the 2010s, highlighting the unique pedagogical practices of educators working across Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Artworks co-created by students and educators, sketchbooks, ephemera, and images of public artworks in situ in and around K-12 schools are paired with teaching artists’ artwork inspired by their work with Chicago’s youth.
Culminating three years of research, including an extensive archive of oral histories with artist educators and contemporary artists active since the 1970s to the present, Learning Together presents unique projects highlighting how arts pedagogy has fostered creativity and imagination, autonomy, cultural heritage, and organizing across Chicago Public Schools, alternative school networks, and community organizations.
Keith Haring with a Chicago Public School student, Chicago, 1989. Courtesy of Irving Zucker.