How important is originality?

"Are students expected to add something to the entire field of science that is completely original? Of course not. That’s ridiculous." ~TAOE Blog

Art IS NOT science, or Math... Art is different for a good and important reason. Science and math tend to have convergent answers, answers that point to one conclusion. 2 + 2 = 4. Energy in = energy out.

A problem in art can, and should, have many possible "right" answers. What would a memorial look like if you designed it for someone you admired? What does the Jabberwocky look like in Alice in Wonderland? How would you paint your self portrait in the style of a famous artist you admire in history? What would a gargoyle look like that could protect you from something you fear?

There are no single answers, these approaches, questions, set up Divergent Answers... and the world if full of such situations. Art helps student understand the deep connections to all content and in a world where there is not just one way to cure cancer, win an election, police a neighborhood, raise a child...

I would argue that an art program that does not include originality/personalization as a component of EVERY project is lacking (This I know will tick people off) I do not believe in having students waste time on color wheels (There I said it, don't hate me), when one can limit students to just primaries. They will discover the properties of color through experience and a color wheel can be put on the wall. Why should everyone make an owl, when they could instead make a bird that expresses a bit of themselves? But I "diverge."

I think originality/personalization is important, the life-blood of an art education program. You can see my blog and read more about my approach to art education HERE, and how I assure originality in this post HERE.