What is Art Literacy?
Art literacy encompasses understanding art history, styles, techniques, and discussion skills. It includes the ability to talk about an artist's creative process and use artistic language effectively. As you develop art literacy, you'll gain deeper insights into how art works and the specific vocabulary used to describe it.
Art education should begin early in childhood. Your art literacy builds as you make connections between your own creative work and your growing knowledge of art history and styles. This skill doesn't just stay in art class—it enhances your ability to observe details, understand others' perspectives, and communicate in non-verbal ways.
Golden Road Arts recently demonstrated this through their "Library on the Loose" event, where children created artwork inspired by books in local parks. This activity helped kids connect words with images, use their imagination to solve problems, and apply artistic techniques to specific themes.
Try This! Next time you create art, try describing your process to someone else. Being able to talk about your creative choices is a key part of developing art literacy!