The visual arts in Reform Jewish supplemental education: Art education beliefs and practices in context

Abstract

This thesis examines the context, content and pedagogy of visual art education in the Reform Jewish supplemental religious school. The study was guided by three major research questions: (1) What beliefs about art education are held by Reform Jewish educators? (2) What is the form and content of existing art education practices in the supplemental religious school setting? (3) What do these Reform Jewish educators perceive as necessary for the enhancement of the art education component of their curriculum? A study of a Reform Jewish supplemental school was conducted by myself as a teacher/researcher. Also, a sample of professional Reform Jewish educators was surveyed to determine art education beliefs and practices in the supplemental religious school setting. Survey results suggest a discrepancy between survey participants beliefs and practices in art education and those advocated by art educators. Contextual factors common to these settings are found to hinder possibilities for comprehensive visual arts education in the supplemental religious school. The study asserts that Jewish art education curricula must be developed from a discipline-based art education perspective in order to use instructional time most effectively.