Your school's art curriculum lacks diversity. How can you empower students to change that?

I would state that a quality curriculum would always bring back the studio techniques to understanding how it correlates with art history. In that way the lesson should be inclusive because many cultures influenced the evolution of contemporary and modern art.

Uncover the blind spots! Assess your art curriculum to identify gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Take a closer look at the artists, styles, and cultures represented. Are there overrepresented themes or regions? What's missing? Are African, Asian, or Indigenous art forms underrepresented? Are modern and contemporary works from diverse backgrounds scarce? This critical evaluation will lay the foundation for a more inclusive and representative curriculum that reflects the rich tapestry of global art

When writing the curriculum and projects for my class, I try to keep my students in mind, a lot like I do when I design my UX projects (FOCUS on the User). I am lucky that I have a very diverse community, so that when I look across my classroom, I can choose artists and artwork from countries related to the areas my students are from, interested in, or that they are studying in other classes. I then tie that back to what element or design strategy we are looking at.

Empower students to shape their own art education by giving them a platform to share their thoughts and opinions. Conduct forums, surveys, or focus groups to gather their feedback on the current curriculum. What do they love, and what do they wish they could learn more about? Encourage them to dream big and suggest new cultures, styles, or artists they're eager to explore.

Collaborate with teachers, parents, and local artists to enhance diverse art education. Form a committee to share perspectives, distribute workload, and amplify efforts. Together, develop proposals, organize events, and create resources that champion diversity in art education

As a science teacher and comedian, I've realised that diversity in art is like a well-balanced chemical reaction: it creates something beautiful! We launched "Laughing Atoms," where students create comic strips about scientists from diverse backgrounds. We also host "Cultural Comedy Nights" where students perform skits about scientific discoveries from their heritage. It's hilarious, educational, and eye-opening. Remember, in art and science, diversity fuels innovation. By empowering students to explore diverse narratives, we're not just changing the curriculum; we're painting a brighter, more inclusive future. And that's no joke!