S309: Practice-Based Research in Arts Learning

Practice can be understood as ‘what we do’ as artists and arts educators. It involves patterns of behavior, thought, and values that construct the conditions for teaching, learning, and experimentation. Furthermore, power structures such as class, race, and gender influence and shape our understanding of arts practices, as well as their role in educational systems. Practice-based research opens up opportunities for deep thinking around the decisions we make and the assumptions we hold with the aim of transforming practices so they are more equitable, effective, and socially just. This course introduces the methodology of practice-based research as an orientation for producing educational practices. Students will explore strategies for planning, facilitating, and reflecting on ‘what we do’ to generate new perspectives and ways of working with communities. We will also explore different qualitative and arts-based methods that can be incorporated into research projects. Through group discussions, readings, guest presentations, and case study analysis of schools and cultural organizations, students will gain a rigorous understanding of this methodology.

What research strategies can we use to better understand and transform arts education practices? What modes of knowing are utilized in the arts? What ethical considerations are connected to practice-based research? How do different power structures limit/open up possibilities for creative inquiry? How can we share our research findings with broader communities?

Students' activities in this module will be focused on designing and conducting a small-scale, inquiry-driven research project on a topic of their choosing. Weekly workshops will be run as 2 x 1 hour 20 min sessions on Monday and Wednesday mornings in Fall 2. Any student is welcome to join this class; you do not necessarily need to have a background in the arts. Students from other schools are welcome to apply to the instructor for permission to enroll.