Doing Arts Thinking: Practice, Research and Education16 A Clearing in the Woods

A Clearing in the Woods responds intrinsic and instrumental arguments for art’s role in education by carving out a third way. This existential approach connects art to the human domain making the difference for both art lessons and overall education. This volume introduces a different approach to art education. It complements the often-used justifications for art’s role in education based on intrinsic (art for art’s sake) or instrumental (art makes you more competent) arguments by adding an existential perspective. Art’s natural connection to human existence, referred to as subjectification by educationalist Gert Biesta, can make a significant difference for both art lessons and education overall. The book illustrates this teaching approach through clarifying episodes from practice, brought into dialogue with Biesta’s theory, offering profound insights and inspiration. A must-read for art educators, teacher trainers, and (art) students.