Profile: Beverly Naidus's Feminist Activist Art Pedagogy: Unleashed and Engaged

Abstract

Various approaches to bringing a feminist and activist perspective to teaching art are explored. The author draws on both the writings and work of other artists and educators and her own development as a feminist and socially engaged artist and teacher in order to highlight crucial elements of this perspective. Practical suggestions are presented for curricula and teaching methods that may be adapted to a wide variety of educational contexts. The author concludes that the feminist critique of patriarchy and multiple systems of oppression have profoundly shaped her art-making and teaching and that art pedagogy can provide an effective means of engaging those who have not previously included such a critique or perspective in their world view.