At The Pivot Point of Cultural Education Management, Teaching, and Artistic Practice

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this paper is to examine the paradigmatic shifts in teaching methodologies, educational, cultural, and artistic practices that occurred during the pandemic and post-pandemic with the aim to provide implications of what will be next for these roles during the recovery phase.   Theoretical Framework: The Higher Education system of distributing instruction was disrupted by the COVID pandemic and both crisis and opportunity resulted from these new modalities of learning. New pedagogical approaches were developed, and this paper looks particularly at art education, art making, and cultural management looking at innovation and issues of digital equity. This pivoting caused a paradigmatic shift in the way participants experienced art, culture, and learning with both pros and cons. (Dodson, J. 2021). What is the role of educational and cultural managers, and artists during this next phase of recovery (Leonard, N. 2020)?   Method: The primary source of data was empirical observation and exchange with faculty, staff, and students. This is not a research study, but a historical paper based on an educator’s practice. From this perspective, the logic for constructing knowledge is based on research in the literature supporting themes from the field of art education and those proposed by the author.   Results and Discussion: The results revealed in the research were derived by the author from both their empirical observations and experience and their research in the literature. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized considering the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible limitations of the research include that no one really knows what the future may hold.   Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of art education. These implications could encompass artistic practice and cultural management as well.   Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by connecting art education, artistic practice, and cultural management and showing their value as well as projecting the future of emerging technologies and what essential roles art practitioners play in this new world. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the implications for education, digital literacy, and equity. I also point the way towards workforce development for arts and technology-related jobs. The paper places a priority on high-end digital skills for every citizen.