Inclusivity in the art world

Olia | Sep 27, 2023Sep 27, 2023

LESSON OVERVIEW

This Speaking Class lesson lets students talk about art, inclusivity, and diversity through a variety of activities. Students watch and discuss a video, read a short text, answer questions, and brainstorm ideas. 

WARM-UP & VIDEO

The lesson starts with a warm-up activity in which students read three definitions of art and choose the one that reflects their understanding of art the best. Students also explain why. To continue talking about art, students share the last time they visited a museum, a gallery, a concert hall, etc., and talk about their experience discussing certain points (e.g. what they found striking, the people they saw there, their emotions, etc.). After that, students also look at three statements about art, choose one, and agree or disagree with it. Then, they move on to a video activity. Students watch the video and continue the sentence ‘Making art more inclusive means…’ with more than one idea. Students keep talking about art and the video and discuss more questions.  

TALKING ABOUT ART AND INCLUSIVITY

In this part of the Speaking Class lesson, students continue talking about art, inclusivity, and diversity. First, they read a short text about an unusual museum where people get to experience everyday environments in complete darkness. Students discuss the concept of the museum, what visitors can learn from it, and talk about art institutions that do not create inclusive experiences. As a wrap-up activity, students look at specific art forms (e.g. a dance performance, a poetry slam, a film screening, a theatre production, etc.) and brainstorm ideas on how to make them more inclusive. They consider aspects like physical accessibility, forms of communication, different narratives and perspectives. Teachers have a list of solutions to suggest for a discussion if students struggle to come up with their own ideas. 

WORKSHEETS

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