Art Forum as an Artistic Association of Students, Teachers and Artists

Abstract

The article analyses the artistic and methodological component of the CRESCENDO ART FORUM cultural and educational project as a “case” of synergistic pedagogical practice. The project is held as an art forum, which name “encodes” the concept of crescendo. In the context of the philosophy of the event, it emphasizes such values of the project as the gradual increase in the impact of art on human development. The purpose of the event is to develop students’ critical and creative thinking; cultivate a conscious attitude towards learning; raise the professional level of teaching staff; and establish creative relations with artistic, educational and cultural institutions of other countries.

The target audience of the project is students and teachers of institutions of art education. Therefore, the art forum is a special communication format that has united both the research and creative components of students (including students with special educational needs), teachers of institutions of art education, and famous creative personalities.

The system of scientific and cognitive events of the art forum consists of three core stages (preparatory, main, and reflective) that may have certain specifics. А student conference with discussion panels becomes a key event at the main stage. The conference thematic areas are supplemented with current trends annually, so their number changes. According to the topics of the student speakers' reports, the programs of the discussion panels of the conference are formed into two age-related categories.

The student conference “ARS LONGA” and the international seminar-workshop “Preliminary Art Education Today: Global Experience” for educators are held as a part of the main stage of the art forum. Its goal is to create a pedagogical intercultural space for communication on the development of art education. Adjacent events of the art forum are workshops, creative workshops, creative meetings with famous artists, an exhibition of artworks by students of art schools in online and offline modes, plein air with the participation of students of art schools, interactive tours from partners, and a round table.

The art forum is a project open to further development. It promotes the freedom of creativity, thought, communication, and choice, in which a student as a future artist, a spectator, and a conscious citizen of his country is revealed under the “soft” pedagogical and artistic force of example.