Research Question

The research question that I will be exploring over the course of the next two months is:

How can we improve cultural diversity in Arts Education, while still facilitating safe and inclusive classroom practices?

This is a question that I often thought about while I was on my teaching practicums, and later when I became a full-time teacher, in charge of my own classroom space and students.

Why is it that nearly every student enrolled in a music course has played at least one John William's work, but has likely not ventured into the world of Japanese soundtrack music, works by female composers, or contemporary minimalist music? Why is that we can name off influential artists in history (Picasso, van Gogh, Monet), but have to think twice to conjure up names for non-Western artists? If I asked you to list me the works of three Shakespeare plays, you could probably recall the ones you studied in high school. But could you name me three plays by Indigenous playwrights?

This is not to say that the well-known artists and genres/forms of Art that we know and have loved for centuries are not important. But I do think it is worthy to start shifting our perspectives and explore options outside of the little bubble we have created for ourselves.

It is my hope that I will be able to take some of my research and apply it to my teachings when I eventually return to the classroom.

Toronto, June 2022