Do you have to be born with artistic talent? What is artmaking all about?

Assumptions Vs. Facts regarding  learning in art:

• Assumption:  It takes talent to make art.
• Fact:  Just because someone hasn’t developed doesn’t mean they can’t.  Art making must be developed, like reading, it is cumulative.  Art making begins when children realize that their physical actions have visual consequences.
• Assumption:  Art making is about how good an image you can make (usually in regard to drawing)
• Fact:  Art making is situated in culture.  Good art making is about how good a match you can make between the signified and the physical properties of the signifier. Transformation skills are just as important as translation skills.  Art making requires thinking in the material. This occurs only when a child has explored the material and has made vital discoveries themselves.
• Assumption: Children creating art is about  “making a project.”
• Fact: Art is more complex than just projects.  Art re-presents the world and  encourages “habits of mind” that engage critical thinking skills. Art allows a person to learn flexible purposing and many other skills.
• Assumption:  The role of the art educator is to give students knowledge about art.
• Fact: The word “educate” comes from the latin “e-ducere” which was once used as a midwives term meaning “to be present at the birth of.” * It is our role as art educators to set up the circumstances that allow students to come to their own understandings about materials.            * from Derrick Jensen’s book Walking on Water