Step in 2 Art: Introduction

Introduction

"In the early 1990s I adored teaching art! Nothing was more rewarding than seeing a young person leave school with a good grade in GCSE art and design, especially when the young person struggled in the core curriculum subjects. Often, young people who were not high achievers in English, maths or science excelled in the practical subjects. In other words, young people who struggled with writing really enjoyed expressing themselves in art! It was fantastic! Art gave them confidence and built their self-esteem.

ART REACHED ALL YOUNG PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ACADEMIC ABILITY!

And then it changed! By the end of the 1990s a new marking system was introduced and young people were required to analyse, compare, develop, demonstrate, experiment, research etc., and many of our youth became disillusioned by the rigid structure of the art and design course. Sadly, the holistic approach to recognising, and celebrating raw talent had gone."

"STEP IN 2 ART and get creative" is an exciting new way to approach art and design. It links directly to the National Curriculum requirements because it:

Easily accesses the works and lives of great artists.

Uses individual works of art to inspire individual work.

Uses a wide range of materials and processes, and experiments with a variety of tools and techniques to make images.

Demonstrates how materials and processes can be matched to ideas.

Teaches new skills and develops existing skills.

Encourages knowledge and understanding and develops appreciation of visual arts.

Identifies the roles of artists in different times and different cultures.

Heather Ford Pop Art - view my gallery at www.the-art-house.com