The 32nd World Congress of the International Society for Education through Art Osaka, Japan August 5 - 9, 2008

Congress Theme: Mind + Media + Heritage

Congress Venue: International House, Osaka, Japan

Congress Objectives:
The arts-related environment surrounding children has become extremely diversified and increasingly borderless. The combination of sensuous media arts in visual culture challenges the efficacy of a traditional art curriculum. Art educators are challenged to consider the inclusion of comprehensive media arts – including screen images and drama – in the mainstream of educational practice. Critics of the status quo assert that the concepts of traditional art and music education might not best serve today’s students. This Congress will examine, discuss, and debate proposals for broader concepts for arts education, including those centered on creativity and imagination.

The 32nd World Congress invites presentations and discussions that examine development of children’s imagination and cognitive abilities through arts education. Changes in the design of learning environments that more effectively foster creativity and imagination are needed.

In recognition of the many children around the world who do not have access to school education and are deprived of opportunities to enjoy art due to social and military upheavals, art educators need to emphasize the social and communicative capabilities of art. One goal for the Congress is to examine ways that art educators in each country might unite for mutual understanding of diverse cultures through international exchanges that promote world peace.

The World Congress will encourage international exchanges at the academic level as well as practical exchanges at the public school levels, Kindergarten through senior high school.

Tentative Congress Events and Sub-themes:

• On-site demonstrations of art instruction.
• Hands-on style workshops related to media arts and art museum education, among other topics.
• Exhibition of art works by school children.
• Manga/Visual Culture exhibition.
• International symposium of problems of curriculum revision associated with national standards for education.
• Joint presentations of international comparative research.
• Poster sessions at global booth featuring exhibition of textbooks and art teaching materials.

Additional information will be added to this website regarding Congress registration and fees, travel and lodging, Congress sponsors, and call for papers and other proposals for the Congress program. Watch for the 2008 InSEA World Congress official website coming soon @ www.convention-j.com/InSEA-WC2008osaka/

For additional information, contact Osaka Congress Chair: Kinichi Fukumoto
email: fukumo@art.hyogo-u.ac.jp