Visual arts education helps children acquire visual literacy and develops their creative potential. Students develop their abilities to symbolize, express and communicate through images as they create personal and media works and appreciate those of classmates and other artists.

Visual Arts Competencies - Elementary

Competency 3: To appreciate works of art, traditional artistic objects, media images, personal productions, and those of classmates

The act of appreciation is one of examining and reflecting on a work, whether it is one's own, the work of classmates, or professional and amateur work seen outside the classroom. In the arts, teachers are often challenged by time constraints, and wonder how to fit appreciation into tight timelines. Two things to consider are:

- Keep it simple - introduce a framework and use it exclusively for a while

- Do it often - regular moments of appreciation cultivate the appreciation reflex

Keep it simple Ideas	Do it often Ideas
Use post-its on a large Venn diagram on the wall or interactive white board	Build in an appreciation moment at the very start of a project
Have students discuss in groups and share notes on a single Appreciation sheet	Have an appreciation file or station in your classroom for inspiration, and make sure students leave traces in an appreciation journal
Use the same framework for the Artist Statement for personal creations.	Build in appreciation of finished works at the close of a project or as projects are completed

Student Tools

Think like an Artist - Download

Appreciating Art (Venn Diagram) - Download

Shapes (for making a fandex - early and non-readers) Download

Creation and Appreciation Criteria - Download

Appreciating Art (for Empathy development) - Download

Professional Learning

MAD2 Facebook Group

A group for Quebec teachers in the Arts from the anglophone sector. Go to page

Arts Connection

Online PD for Arts educators in Quebec, hosted by MAD2. A DEEN committee initiative. Online archive available Go to folder

Spotlight on the Arts

An annual effervescent art education happening organized by the MAD2 DEEN subcommittee, featuring guest speakers, workshops in all four Arts subjects, a round-table discussion and on the spot art-making. Go to page

RÉCIT-Arts

French-language Quebec network for teaching the Arts using varied current technologies.

Main site - Go to page
Flipped Classroom in all 4 Arts Subjects - Go to page
Wakelet with resources for teaching online - Go to page
Archived web event explaining the resources - Go to page

Blog Posts

Why Our Schools Need the Arts: A New Perspective by Sylwia Bielec Go to page

Professional Organizations

CSEA - The Canadian Society for Education through Art
The Canadian Society for Education through Art is the national art education association representing art educators within Canada. It is a voluntary association founded in Quebec City in 1955, and is the only Canadian national organization that brings together visual art educators, gallery educators and others with similar interests and concerns. Membership represents all levels of education: elementary, secondary, college/university, ministries of education, art galleries/museums, and community education. Go to site

NAEA - The National Art Education Association
Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators. Go to site

Artists in Schools

Having practicing artists and specialized art educators in your classroom enriches everyone's experience of the arts. Students deepen their practice and understanding of the Arts. Teachers expand their arts pedagogy know-how.

ELAN - https://www.quebec-elan.org
English-speaking artists and micro grants for English schools

Culture à l'école - https://cultureeducation.mcc.gouv.qc.ca/repertoire
Quebec government program and database of artists as well as cultural events and outings.

Breaking down the QEP for artists (webinar done for ELAN)

MEES Program Documents

Quebec Education Program Competencies

ELEMENTARY

Competency 1: To produce individual works in the visual arts

To use personal ideas inspired by the stimulus for creation
To use transforming gestures and elements of visual arts language.
To organize the elements he/she has chosen
To finalize his/her production
To share his/her creative experience

Competency 2: To produce media works in the visual arts

To use creative ideas inspired by a stimulus for creation of media works
To use transforming gestures and elements of visual arts language according to the message and the intended viewer
To organize the elements he/she has chosen, depending on the message and the intended viewer
To finalize his/her media creation
To share his/her experience of media creation

Competency 3: To appreciate works of art, traditional artistic objects, media images, personal productions and those of classmates

To examine a work of art, traditional artistic object, media images, personal or media visual arts production for elements of content
To examine a work of art, traditional artistic object or media images for sociocultural references (Cycles Two and Three)
To make connections between what he/she has felt and examined
To make a critical or aesthetic judgment
To share his/her appreciation experience