We see the function of art everywhere in our society.  Art is used to sell products, to convey ideas, to document, to give an historical account, to explore, to give concrete images to an abstract designs, to project what a future city might look like, to show us the past, to help us visualize what other planets might look like, to inspire us, to show us the artist's own viewpoint, to teach us about other cultures.  Art serves political, social, historical, religious, cultural, psychological, commercial and many other functions in our society.  We can learn from past cultures through their art.  Understanding functions or purposes of art will help you create relative art projects. 

Art in the classroom serves an important function.

Art can encourage children to observe, explore, discover, and participate in their creative expression.  Hands-on and art history exercises can:

1.  Teach students skills for observing and appreciate their world, themselves, others and art with a keener sense of wonder and sensitivity.
2.  Provide structure and framework for exploring art and their world and developing critical thinking skills.
3.  Enable students to discover inherent meaning and content of art as they explore and develop their own creative skills.  Students will discover the value of the visual arts for expressing cultural, psychological, historical, political, spiritual, and aesthetic values and meaning.
4.  Create a climate where students will gain confidence in their acquired artistic techniques and skills in observing, exploring, and discovering through hands-on experimentation with various art mediums, projects, and exhibitions.  Students will move from observer to "doer."

Methods-Suggestions for Teaching Art to Children

Students will gain confidence in their work and abilities if they are allowed enough space for experimentation, but given enough instruction to explore and understand their medium.  A variety of materials, projects, and concepts are essential to ensure students do not become bored with the art exercises.  Encouragement is the form of positive discussion about their work will help students to gain confidence i their abilities, and inspire them to move forward with a desire to try other mediums, and more fully explore aesthetics and meaning in their work.  It is important to stress process, rather than final product.  Students should not look at any artistic attempt as failure, but as play and experimentation.  The final product is not as important as the process and enjoyment of creating.  However, it is important that the students see value in their artwork through their own eyes and the eyes of others.  Class Exhibitions, or better yet, art exhibitions which take on a special event and significance ( where parents and administrators are invited to an opening) teach students to value their work and experience on aspect of an artist's world.

 Art reproductions and field trips are also important since they teach the students by example.  Many artists learned their skills by copying masters, and it is thrilling for students to learn about an artwork and then actually see it in person.  Art reproductions also teach critical thinking skills, help the student learn how to develop a keener sense of observation, and teach value and meaning.

      It is a good idea to have at least 3 different projects or a
  variety of sequential steps within the l hour time span.  Students
need to be clear of a beginning, middle, and end. Younger students
  (grades K-2) will need to be reminded of the art instructions and
  objectives along the way, not just at the beginning.   It is very
   important not to overdue instruction or "watch" the student too
  much.  Beginning artists are often apprehensive about their skill
 levels and will freeze with too much attention.  Encourage and let
 students know that you are there for advice if needed or desired.
  Create projects around students interests-psychological, as well
   as, physiological.  Create projects that require physical energy,
 touching, and observing while at the same time meet psychological
 needs and interests.  Assure students that there is more than one
  way to create a project.  Illustrate this "vive la difference" by
 comparing the same subject matter by several artists.  Show how
   each creates in their own style, and encourage them to develop
 their own style, rather than compare their work with others in the
  class.  Celebrate the differences in style by displaying art work
      and asking students to share or talk about their artwork.

   Art projects that encourage students to create a narrative or
 storytelling aspect that combine language arts with the visual arts
 are especially accessible to students of all ages.  Cross curriculum
   art projects that combine various interests of the students are
   also welcomed projects for students who don't understand why
   they are doing art.  Essential to self confidence is a variety of
 projects that are drawn from a wide variety of cultural sources.
 Multicultural projects create pride, identification, and may lead to
 further exploration of one's or another's cultural heritage and/or
 related subject matter. Projects that are fun and interesting help
    students to gain respect for the workmanship, creativity, and
 ingenuity of cultures different than their own.  Be sure to include
  a variety of projects even if the culture is not representative of
 students in the classroom.  Be sure to include American culture in
    your melting pot.  Show students a variety of art prints that
                      reflect a number of cultures.

  Art projects that foster an awareness of current issues such as
   the environment are interesting for students and help them to
  understand their place and their own social responsibility while at
          the same time provide an area of popular interest.
   Be sure also to include art projects that explore aesthetic and
  process, rather than a finished product, however; it is important
 to explore with the students the many ways that art is used (the
             function) in their society and other cultures.
       Above all students should experience a sense of joy and
    achievement through their creative play.  Students should be
 reminded that it is normal, and "o.k." to feel some frustration with
 certain projects, and not to be satisfied with all the art work that
 they create.  Art like life is a growing process, we learn from our
 experiences and understand how to make changes the next time.
  Discuss examples of how various artists have been challenged by
 physical limitations, social pressures, financial problems, their own
         artistic limitations, and a variety of other difficulties.

 Think About It