Art and Craft education for sustainable development

Abstract

The Norwegian school subject Art and Crafts makes a lense for pupils into the world of object, buildings and pictures. It makes visual and material culture part of general education. The subject embodies problem solving in materials, aesthetical awareness and critical reflection on visual communication and the quality of objects. Teachers in this subject have the opportunity to connect daily actions and opinions to bigger picture thinking, by challenging pupils to take responsibility for what they do, and what they might choose to ignore. This article explores four entries to ecoliteracy in the repertoire of the subject: Problem solving in materials, aesthetic experiences, responsible product design and critical reflection. Ecoliteracy rely on both awareness and empowerment, and to coin the four entries in design assignments would better prepare pupils for a transition towards a more sustainable future.