Student Empowerment Through Art

Guest post contributed by
Adam Johnson - Social Justice Educator

I am a middle school ELL/math teacher in the South Bronx. I am currently in my 5th year of teaching. I wanted all of you to know about a project that has empowered my students. I hope that you consider implementing a similar project in your school community.

25 students (all ELLs) and I started an after-school art club two years ago called South Bronx Youth Art. We meet every Thursday and Friday from 2:30-5:00 pm to paint and create works of art inspired by the students' experiences and their community. 

While I can recount many instances of how this program has helped my students' confidence I am most proud of their collective gains on the 2013-2014 Common Core state math and ELA exam. I believe this achievement was possible because of the strong relationships formed through this club and their ability to trust their teacher. 

This year the students have even started earning money due to interest in their art. The students have set up and administer an Etsy site where people all over the world can buy their art. All profits go to buying more art supplies and directly to the artists. 

This program is not only building confidence in our students, but preparing them for the 21st century because they are using their creativity to capture the attention of people around the world and using social media to market and actually make money. I highly encourage you to implement a similar type of program. 

Please take a look at this link to get a better idea of the creativity that happens in our program.

Click here to purchase one of these beautiful works of art!

Adam Johnson <[email protected]>

Click Read More to find out how this project is 21st century . . .

Why Adam is a 21st century educator:

According to the criteria for 21st century education, which are outlined in our 3 compasses - Critical Attributes of 21st Century Education, Multiple Literacies for the 21st Century, and the 7 Survival Skills of the 21st Century, this project meets the following criteria:

Critical Attributes of 21st Century Education:

1. Integrated and Interdisciplinary - this project integrates Math, Art, English, History, Civics, 

2.  Global Classrooms, Globalization -

3.  Relevant, Rigorous and Real World - subject matter of paintings is real world;  selling the paintings;  organizing and planning for obtaining funding and supplies.

4.  Adapting to and Creating Personal and Social Change - art in general, and painting in particular, is one of the most powerful ways one can create messages designed to produce change, personally as well as in society.  

5.  Project-Based and Research Driven - learning by doing, this project is definitely "hands on"; research must be done in order to create and run all aspects of their program.

6.  Technologies and Multimedia - from paint brushes to computers, from paintings to photography and web sites, students are utilizing these tools as vehicles for their learning.


Multiple Literacies for the 21st Century:

1.  Arts and Creativity - of course!

2.  Ecoliteracy - painting related to this theme

3.  Cyberliteracy - subject matter research, paintings in online art gallery, web site to sell paintings, online advertising of the project and seeking financial support.

4.  Physical Fitness and Health Literacies - could be subject matter of the paintings

5.  Global Competencies and Multicultural Literacy - paintings with themes related to various cultures, sharing of paintings with people around the world

6.  Social/Emotional Literacies - project is important in helping students develop their social and emotional skills

7.  Media Literacy - these paintings are media, communicating messages to the observer.

8.  Financial Literacy - sellings paintings, raising money for and purchasing supplies.


7 Survival Skills for the 21st Century

1.  Accessing and Analyzing Information - paintings are a form of information, analyzing the message conveyed by the painting, research on marketing, raising funds, and related to subject matter.

2.  Curiosity and Imagination - of course!

3.  Effective Oral and Written Communication - creating the text for the web sites where paintings are sold, speaking with potential funders and/or purchasers of the paintings.  Arranging for and conducting art show, speaking to reporters, preparing press releases.

4.  Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence - students must navigate between the networks of school, business, art and finance;  they must demonstrate leadership in running their business.

5.  Initiative and Entrepreneurialism - advertising, marketing and selling their paintings.

6.  Agility and Adaptability - when trying new techniques, mistakes will be made, and adapting to these mistakes is how they learn and improve;  being able to change strategies or plans as needed.

7.  Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - creating a business plan, marketing strategies, etc.