Agricultural Extension Service 4-H M-19 I 4-H Youth Development University of Minnesota I I ARTS ALIVE Through the arts we can become: Alive to Ourselves, ... Alive to Others, and ... Alive to the World. We become alive to ourselves through a creative experience. We may create something more effective and beautiful than we expected whenever we paint a picture, perform a dance, write a poem, or make an object. Our strong and joyful statements may not be beautiful. However, we understand ourselves better each time we reject or accept our own expression. Children have a right to participate in the expressive arts. As youth leaders we must help children move from spontaneous and uncontrolled activity to a meaningful expression of value to the child. We must help them become alive to themselves and give them opportunities cs to give form to their feelings. Within our youth groups we have boys and girls with mixed abilities. Success for each child THE ART SONG requires respect for what he or she has the ability When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his to become, not for the ability to compete. kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, Children feel more free to develop their own searching, daring, self-expressing creature. He capacities in a non-competitive environment becomes interested in other people. He disturbs, because they respect each other's limitations. upsets, enlightens, and he opens ways for a better We can find many ways to do things together. We understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it, shows there get to know one another by singing, putting on a are stiff more pages possible. play, or painting a mural together. Build a caring The world would stagnate without him, and the group by sharing with the elderly or with world would be beautiful with him; for he is hospitalized children. Give service through the interesting to himself and he is interesting to others. arts in day care centers, homes for retarded, or in He does not have to be a painter or sculptor to be an nursing homes. We become alive to ourselves, to artist. He can work in any medium. He simply has to one another, and to the world through growth find the gain in the work itself, not outside it. and concern for others. Robert Henri Prepared for 4-H Art and Drama Workshops for Youth Leaders 1976-1977 Funds for publication of this workbook have been provided by Cargill, Inc., of Minneapolis. We express our thanks to Cargill for their continued support of the 4-H expressive arts program. CENTURY Ill 4-H EXPRESSIVE ARTS CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS, PROGRAM LEISURE EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS The 4-H Expressive Arts are tools for total human growth. "A child's experiences in art affect his Automation and labor-saving devices have resulted in longer vacations, mobility, and affluence. This social well-being, influence his intellectual new era demands increased community recreation and leisure-time services. Studies consistantly show faculties, and above all help him utilize and refine that "problem youth" have almost no special leisure interests or recreational skills. Community his perceptions and his emotional sensitivities."1 recreation and leisure education are needed to instill in young people constructive attitudes, sound The arts express human experiences. Expression values, ways of learning and communicating, and concepts of society that accommodate effective and may be in the form of dance, drama, music, constructive use of leisure time. writing, or visual arts. The arts emphasize 4-H programs in creative and performing arts and leisure education should continue to be designed and individual interpretation and expression. For the implemented to provide youth the necessary knowledge and skills which can contribute to an improved child, art is primarily a means of expression. quality of lif~(Recommendation 26). Young people can have an opportunity to give Effective communication skills are essential in a democratic society. 4-H programs currently offer form and meaning to life in informal educational excellent learning-by-doing opportunities for youth to develop skills in speaking and listening. However, settings through the 4-H Expressive Arts2 4-H communication programs need increased efforts in the areas of group interaction and interpersonal Program. commun ication-(Recommendation 27). Visual arts express creativity through line, color, Extension Committee on form, pattern, and textur~two-and three- Organization and Policy 1Pizzat, J., Background Information For Developing An Art Program, Southwest Minnesota State College, Marshall, Minnesota, 1969. 2 Lowenfeld, V., L. Brittain, Creative and Mental Growth, McMillan Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1975. 3 dimensional structuring. These include sculpture, Rationale The arts help people understand their changing painting, and print making. environment. Artists may reflect a desire to Music expresses creativity through vocal and The arts offer the personal dimension of improve society through their chosen art form. instrumental sounds in practiced or spontaneous emotions, sensitivity, empathy, and expression. The unique community- and family-centered 4-H rhythm and harmony. This balances educational programs in 4-H that structure allows individualized instruction, peer put primary emphasis on the objective mental Drama and dance express creativity through teaching, and volunteer leadership. The arts can operations required in science and technical offer an opportunity for recognition of voice, gestures, and rhythmic and harmonizing studies. body movement in spontaneous or practiced role developmental levels, maturation, achievement, playing, elocution, mime, and staged The arts help children reach self-realization by interests, and needs of each young person. presentations. assisting them in perceiving their world, reacting Diversity and individuality can be encouraged. to what they see, and interpreting their emotions Emphasis can be placed on the learner and the Inscriptive Arts, such as expository, poetry, and and insights. The arts help them develop positive learning experience rather than on the product. prose, express ideas through words and phrases attitudes toward human interaction, respect for 4-H art projects can be experienced in a in free form or in rhythm with a beat. human interaction, respect for human values, and voluntary, non-competitive, non-threatening openness to ideas and works of others. atmosphere. Objectives of the 4-H Expressive Arts Program CHILD TEENAGER/YOUNG ADULT I. ART AWARENESS Overall Objective: Assist individuals to enhance the quality of their lives through enjoyment, appreciation, and self-expression of the expressive arts. A. Finds satisfaction and pleasure in A. Experiences fulfillment in creative forms of leisure activity. creative leisure activities and continues to improve the quality of leisure. B. Becomes aware of artists and their B. Explores career alternatives and contributions by having an opportunity educational opportunities in to see them at work. the arts. C. Perceives and understands artistic C. Has knowledge and skills needed relationships as they occur within to adapt to his environment and the environment. desired change. II. SELF-AWARENESS Objective: Assist individuals to use knowledge of self as a major element in making decisions which enhance the quality of their lives through the expressive arts. A. Feels satisfaction and greater A. Understands and values his own self-worth as a creative and unique ideas, feelings, uniqueness, and individual; is able to make art judgments creative abilities; developing a and think, feel, and act creatively. positive self-concept as well as appreciating these qualities in 4 others. Ill. DECISIONMAKING • Through creative activities the child can Objective: Assist individuals to plan their expressive arts experiences to achieve qualitative goals. discover his uniqueness, deepen trust in himself, and accept himself as a person with A. Engages in problem-solving activities A. Develops discipline in an art form potential. that increase flexibility, resourcefulness, that will improve skills needed To become fluency, inventiveness, originality, for self-expression and performance. what I can; and awareness. To be now B. Evaluates the results of arts what/am; decisions and their outcomes; To be present modifies performance on that basis. where I am; To be conscious IV. SOCIAL INTERACTION while I can; Objective: Assist individuals to interact and relate to others through expressive arts in ways compatible To be aware with their goals. of who I am and who you are; A. Enjoys participation in creative A. Applies the language, process, To reach out activities and shares the pleasure heritage, and discipline of an for my potential; with others. art form to improve the quality of To find fulfillment his life and others. in a blade of grass or a certain smile V. ART SKILLS or a simple touch Objective: Assist individuals to live up to their own potential for acquisition and use of expressive arts Because Another skills to reach their leisure goals. has enabled me to be, A. Explores and participates in a wide A. Is able to select an art form I became variety of art forms and media and art medium specifically all these things according to readiness and ability. suited to his needs for self-expression. And even more. B. Becomes aware of a variety of art B. Acquires a knowledge of art forms of the past and responds to heritage and uses this knowledge • The expressive arts enable a young person to the arts openly and receptively. to examine his own values, and become aware and observant of his Attends concerts, visits galleries, those of society. environment. Art can help a child enjoy all the talks with artists. colors, textures, shapes, sounds, and scents in his environment as his senses are awakened. An interim report of the National Leisure Education Developmental Committee He can accept, reject, and change his surroundings based on his own capabilities to decide.