Community and Youth Empowerment Through Artmaking: Teaching Teens Social Justice through Visual Journaling

摘要

In this case study I document a group of youth, ages thirteen to fifteen, as they investigate and explore social justice issues and personal beliefs in order to create a community service learning project. Ideas are presented through the introduction of activist art and also by the viewing of recordings of a variety of perspectives on social justice issues and community involvement from a diverse population. The vehicle of inquiry in the study is the production of a visual journal in which thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and ideas will be examined and considered through art making. A review of literature related to the benefits of artmaking and individual storytelling, teaching social justice issues, and the influence of visual culture provide insight and foundation for the study. Qualitative research methods are incorporated to determine the effectiveness of connecting the making of art to the instigation of community involvement. The data collected and interpreted to inform the conclusions are interviews, discussions, and visual and written responses by the participants in the study. The conclusions may be used in either a classroom or community art forum and contribute to the foundational body of knowledge that asserts that art making and critical thinking are necessary components of contributing to today's society.