This instructional article demonstrates the parallels between the way art is used as forms of celebration and protest in several different cultures. The author provides thought-provoking questions to pose to students, encouraging them to research unfamiliar cultures and draw connections between multi-cultural art and the art the students create.

There is plenty of literature, including exhibition catalogues, journal articles, and books written for those interested in learning and teaching about African art. Information on individual artists from the countries of Africa is also increasing. These sources attempt to highlight the artists' lives, education, working conditions and what they…

By visiting an African art exhibit, college-level art students enriched their understanding of the ritualistic art of the South African people. The exhibit is described and learning strategies used to prepare students for the exhibit visit are discussed. (RM)

Offers an art lesson for grades K-3 based on an early 19th century sculpture of the head of a Benin Queen. Presents background on the relevance of Queen Mother's position in Benin culture. Discusses importance of regalia and scarification associated with Benin heads. Includes suggestions for classroom activities. (BR)

Focuses on a way of teaching that explores the connection between historical and cultural content in works of art, linking the present and past through reCognizing (understanding a previously known thing differently or viewing an unknown thing in multiple ways). Provides an example of reCognition using the Kwanzaa Playground in Columbus (Ohio).…

Presents a collection of questions that fifth-grade students asked about African artwork and answers provided by staff from the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. Observes that students' interest in important visual aspects of the art creates lead-ins to more detailed discussions of West African art and culture. (DSK)

Explores the Kwanzaa Playground, a small Afrocentric park in Columbus (Ohio), and the Kwanzaa Playground Web site within the context of how African art and culture were used to inform and transform each of these works. Describes the artwork in the playground and discusses the background, purpose, and creation of the Web site. (CMK)

Considers concepts and terminologies that focus on generalizations concerning traditional African art and cultures. Argues that alternative concepts and terminologies should be used in developing curriculum and in teaching non-Western art. Discusses traditional African religious beliefs, primitivism, and the function of African art objects. (KM)

Compares the values of the Akan people of West Africa and African-American cultures and works of art that embody these values. Describes each artwork (Akan crown, African-American Head Wrap, Asafo Flags, and the Harriet Powers quilt) and provides questions and activities appropriate for middle school students. (CMK)

Utilizes a 17th-century Italian sculpture and an African fetish figure to illustrate essential qualities and characteristics of figurative sculpture. Points out the extreme differences and the many similarities between the two and offers explanations. Includes a process for leading students through "reading" the sculptures. (MJP)

Describes the Africa Project, an undergraduate art education course in which college students and elementary students were brought into creative interaction with the University of Illinois' Krannert Art Museum's Africa collection. Addresses the development of the Africa Project and explains how the college students taught kindergarten students.…

Asserts that, although it has been ignored by most art historians and art educators, the Barnes Foundation was founded upon a unique African/African American esthetic influence. Describes influences on the life of Dr. Albert C. Barnes, his world view, and the decision to establish the Barnes Foundation and its art collection. (CFR)

Maintains that art museums have developed new strategies and resources to provide services to art teachers, other educators, and students. Presents four classroom lessons utilizing paintings and other exhibits from the Art Institute of Chicago (Illinois). (CFR)

Considers how multicultural art education should be approached in the classroom. Uses African art to help distinguish between appreciating art from different cultures and understanding cultural contexts. Discusses benefits and shortcomings of five multicultural approaches. Shows how the NAMES project (AIDS Memorial Quilt) could be used in the…

Provides a series of instructional activities and material concerning African art. Includes four color plates of African artwork. Accompanying materials include cultural, historical background information on each piece, as well as, learning activities. Artwork is from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zaire. (MJP)