Originally published in TEACH Magazine, September/October 2023 Issue
By Nikita Griffioen
I’ve always found that visual arts classes hold immense power within the school community. Although often written off as “just an elective,” the truth is that the practice of art within schools is of the utmost importance. Not only does it make space in a student’s day for creativity and provide a break from academics, it can also serve as art therapy or offer a chance to focus on something even bigger.
For the last few years, I have run an Art Activism class at the secondary school where I teach in British Columbia. This class is based on one big idea: art is a powerful tool for educating the public and for encouraging social change. Over the course of the semester, students learn about a social justice topic in-depth (such as homelessness or Black Lives Matter), including the history of the issue and its current events.
Nikita Griffioen currently teaches in Abbotsford, BC. When she’s not in class, you can find her traveling, snowboarding, surfing, reading, or making art.
