How Can Learning Art in a VET Context Enhance the Social and Emotional Development of Students?

Abstract

Art acts as a social cement and a community of minds. In this research, level five students in an art institution were studied. The results show that the created artworks managed to convey more than was originally intended. Art can express concepts which are not visible and can be a tool to see through the thoughts of the artist, specifically those thoughts that cannot be explained in a tangible way. Through its playful and creative nature, art creates the perfect space for capturing the essence of things through metaphor. The beauty of metaphor is that it maintains the ability to have a deeper meaning than what can be perceived at its surface, making it versatile and adaptive as it recalls different memories and streams of thought that are within each different viewer. Moreover, results have shown that art can be a safe space to go to for self-reflection and quiet time, where the student can reflect on their current emotional state and process the fast-paced life which we currently live in. Art can prompt a creative attitude that is expressed through exciting energy which enhances the capacity of communication and healthy social interactions. This expresses the need for more opportunities in which students can express their artistic development.