Teachers for Social Justice is a Chicago-based organization of educators that have a strong focus on social justice issues. Their goal is to create learning environments that are " anti-racist, multicultural / multilingual, and grounded in the experiences of our students." The website is extensive and incorporates a multitude of content areas and grade levels. Currently the website has a limited amount of art lessons, however, there is an excellent curriculum for elementary school students, and many of the information includes some creative content that may be helpful for any teacher wanting to infuse social justice issues into existing unit plans.
A community asset in the 3rd Ward area of Houston, Project Row Houses is also an inspiring resource for educators everywhere. I first introduced this project to my Social Advocacy class as a way to look at creative ways artists enact social change. What is unique about the organization is the way they use the format of several small spaces to provide a number of services in one area.
The Amala Foundation is a wide-spread humanitarian organization that involves youth in many different service opportunities. One of the programs offered is Young Artists in Service, which allows teens to share each others' passion for the arts while serving children in the community. As their website states, "The Young Artists In Service program works to create opportunities for inspired young artists from all walks of life to deepen into the spirit of service by engaging their communities through art."
Amala Foundation makes other meaningful connections between art-making and global service work, including an online shop where 100% of the proceeds of the hand-made items sold go directly to the foundation. Do some holiday shopping here at Nectar! Art 21 is many things: a televised series on PBS, an informative website, an archive of contemporary art, and, luckily for us art educators, an invaluable resource of multimedia materials.
The extensive educator guides are categorized by themes and absolutely FREE. Here is the link to the guide on compassion, which includes lesson ideas, video footage, interviews, and images. http://www.art21.org/films/compassion Printmaking with Favianna Rodriguez on ww2.kqed.org
Favianna Rodriguez is an Oakland-based visual artist who has become a national figure by merging her artistic practice with political activism. |