Positive Self-Identity

Helping to foster a students sense of self-identity is something that is important not only to the students self identity but also their identity in their artwork. That is something I think some art teachers forget to teach sometimes, that the work itself must have meaning to the student. I've known a lot of students in middle school, high school and sometimes college who still haven't figured out that art must have an identity or be dynamic in some way. Some students can't see past the point of being able to draw something realistic, and as an art teacher we have to be able to help the student realize a broader view of their work.
As art teachers we will be one of the first adults to expect students to speak openly about their identity. Many teachers and adults just expect students to absorb knowledge without having a response to anything. The art room can be a place where students come to just relax and let their minds open up. Getting students to think about things that have actual meaning to them can be very empowering. Some students don't even realize they have an opinion until you force them to think about things. Other students already have their identity carved out and know they can use art to express their thoughts. It is at this point when teachers have to find a middle ground between fostering that sense of identity and also making sure the student can express themselves without fear or judgment. I keep thinking about classroom management and how to keep a positive sense of community in your classroom. I think the same ideas apply to helping a student develop their identity through their artwork and to their peers.
Many of these things could be achieved by having open discussions about contemporary artists and the reasons behind why they created art the way they did. Having students see examples of artists whose work is genuine can help them understand similar situations when they encounter them in their lives.