The Role of Visual Arts Education in Creating Intercultural Awareness

Abstract

The aim of this study is to facilitate the occurrence of cultural transfer by means of Visual Arts education in the context of individuals’ traditions and customs, of their national and international dimensions, and of their recognition of different cultural artifacts. It also aims to allow intercultural dialog and to raise consciousness of cultural values and diversity. Through the research and Visual Arts Education Assocation (GÖRSED) and the International Society for Education through Art (INSEA), educators in Turkey and across the world have been made aware of the visual arts. 15 schools, 7 of which were from five different foreign countries and 8 of which were from Turkey, participated in this research. The students who participated in the research were between the ages of 7 and 15. Depictions of customs and traditions were processed as part of this research. 66 of these depictions came from abroad and 189 from Turkey. 255 students created pictures with accompanying explanatory texts on a purely voluntary basis. These pictures were taken, classified by topic, and organized into charts. The results of the research were presented as a display at the Gazi University private schools foundation. The research concludes that it is possible for students to familiarize themselves with and understand the traditions and customs of different cultures. I claim that in this context the pictures and their accompanying texts helped create an awareness of different cultures.