Texas Trends in Art Education, Spring 1967 Page: 9
50 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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What We Believe About Art Contests
WALTER EHLERT
Wichita FallsChanging concepts of art education have brought
about the necessity of a new look at art competi-
tions in the public schools.
Art educators recognize that there are two forms
of competition: natural competition, where the
child competes with himself and introduced com-
petition where the source may be outside his im-
mediate experiences.
Natural competition is needed for a continuous
growth. Each student works at his own level of
maturity and understanding, and his work should
be evaluated by this criteria. Adult standards
should not be imposed upon him. Such criticism
may prove frustrating and be beyond his compre-
hension. For the child there is no right or wrong
in creative expression, each work being an out-
growth of his own experiences. Introduced com-
petition should not be used in the lower grades for
it may force a student to try for a level of work
beyond his experience and understanding.
Introduced competition many times requires in-
formation outside the immediate experiences of
the child. Only when he is mature enough to un-
derstand the objectives of a contest and can work
within the rules should he enter them. When
he has reached a stage where he understands and
is aware of his own creative ability as well as that
of others, only then is introduced competition edu-
cationally sound.
Competition can not be ruled out. It is a basic
part of life. It is the way in which it is approached
or handled that can make it a learning situation or
one that can stifle or destroy further interest in art.
Competition, then, below the tenth or eleventh
grade should be discouraged. Non-competitive and
informative types of student exhibits displaying
the creative efforts should be encouraged. Class-
room, building and city wide art exhibits are ex-
cellent ways of showing students' creative work.
Above the tenth or eleventh grade levels com-
petitions may have a desirable educational value.
Participation in these competitions should be a
matter of concern to the art teacher, school ad-
ministrators, and the art student himself who com-
petes at this level.
Art educators are constantly evaluating the pos-
sible effects of unwise participation in contests.After all, the purpose of art education is to pro-
vide for the development of each student.
o
The Western Art Association Curriculum Ma-
terials Exhibit has been prepared for circulation.
It consists of 82 items. This material is available
on a loan basis to members of Western Arts Region.
It is now available for a two-week period provided
the receiver is willing to pay for shipping cost to
the next institution. The weight of the exhibit is
97 pounds. Requests should be made directly to
Harry G. Guillaume and he will prepare a routing
chart so as to keep the shipping cost to a minimum.
The exhibit will be available until March 1968.
The availability of this Curriculum Materials
Exhibit consists mainly of Resource and Refer-
ence Guides. Those interested may contact
Harry G. Guillaume, President of the Western
Art Association.TEXAS TRENDS IN ART EDUCATION
The
Golden Falcon Club
Entertainment each Evening
2 Lovely Private Rooms
Beautiful Decor
Excellent Food
Open at 11 a. m.
WELCOME TO ODESSA!page 9
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Texas Art Education Association. Texas Trends in Art Education, Spring 1967, periodical, Spring 1967; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth279663/m1/11/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Art Education Association.