Research in Visual Arts Education - The National Society for ...

ENGLISH SUMMARY
This review of Nordic research in visual arts education (VAE) is part of a
series, funded by the Swedish Research Council, on teaching and learning
in different school subjects. It presents, to begin with, a multidimensional,
conceptual framework describing the knowledge base of VAE. For example,
VAE can be studied by taking either the visual arts or education as the starting
point when formulating research questions, etc. Another important
dimension is whether the subject matter being taught is mainly defined
in terms of visual communication or visual culture. In a substudy, “From
psychology to semiotics”, Swedish research and VAE curricula until 1994 are
reviewed. After these conceptual and historical introductions, authors from
each one of the Nordic countries present a review on trends and themes in
her or his country from 1995 until 2006 or later:
• Themes in Swedish Studies: Mediated action and aesthetic learning.
• Themes in Danish Studies: Between visual arts and visual culture.
• Themes in Finnish Studies: Multiculturalism and arts-based research.
• Themes in Icelandic Studies: Multifaceted approach to visual arts education.
• Themes in Norwegian Studies: Art, design and environmental participation.
• Finally, extensive national bibliographies of studies in VAE are made available.
• These include Ph.D. theses, books, chapters, articles and reports.
NORDIC VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION IN TRANSITION 7