Why Tiny Art Schools Matter, and the Crucial Role of Artist Educators
Artist educators play a vital role in fostering creativity and artistic exploration, particularly in small, informal settings. One artist educator reflects on their experience running after-school art workshops in a local village hall in Comberton, UK —a space that provided children with opportunities they wouldn't typically encounter in school. These workshops gave the children time, space, materials, and ideas to spark their creativity, all while offering the educator a chance to experiment, refine their own teaching approach, and reflect on their practice.
Beyond simply teaching art, these sessions became a platform for the educator to share their own artistic process with the students, encouraging them to undertake their own creative explorations. This small-scale, flexible environment allowed both the children and the educator to think and act like artists, free from external pressures. It was an invaluable experience that helped build creative skills and confidence in the participants.
From Small Beginnings to National Impact
The impact of these small workshops extended far beyond the local community. Many of the projects designed for this intimate setting were eventually adopted across thousands of schools nationwide, becoming part of the AccessArt Primary Art Curriculum. Thanks to contributions from other artist educators, these ideas and resources are now shaping art education in classrooms across the country, developing skills, understanding, and enthusiasm among students, teachers, and parents alike.
The educator, in hindsight, realizes the profound creative power of working in a small, informal environment. By removing external pressures, the tiny art school allowed both the students and the educator to explore what it means to truly think and act like artists—an experience that can be transformative for all involved.
The Role of Artist Educators in Shaping Art Education
Artist educators, no matter where they work or whom they work with, have a unique opportunity to influence and reshape the future of art education. Through their work, they not only share skills and expand opportunities but also help to push the boundaries of what art education can look like in various settings. The creation of AccessArt over 25 years ago was a step toward this vision. The organisation’s primary aim has always been to share the work of artist educators across different contexts to benefit all, a goal that has been significantly realised through the AccessArt community, which now includes over 66,000 members worldwide.
Image Credit and find out more at AccessArt.