Jana Jiroutová

Twenty Congresses Later: The Contemporary Czech Art Education (opening speech)

Jana Jiroutová & Petra Šobáňová – Department of Art Education, Faculty of Education, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic

Abstract:

In 1966, Prague hosted the 18th InSEA World Congress, providing an invaluable window into the state of Czech art education during a period marked by intense political and cultural transformation. That historic event reflected the optimism, tensions, and creative vitality of a generation of educators and artists working within a unique socio-political context. Now, nearly sixty years and twenty congresses later, the international InSEA community returns to the Czech Republic for the 38th World Congress – an occasion that invites both reflection and renewal.

This opening paper offers a broad overview of the current landscape of art education in the Czech Republic. It highlights key values such as creativity, critical thinking, inclusivity, and cultural awareness, while also addressing the methodological shifts that have emerged in response to technological change, societal needs, and global educational trends. We explore a spectrum of pedagogical approaches – from traditional fine art practices to contemporary, interdisciplinary, and socially engaged methods – that coexist within Czech art education today.

Drawing on concrete examples from schools, universities, galleries, and community-based initiatives, we illustrate how educators and institutions are navigating current challenges, including curriculum reform, digital transformation, and the growing emphasis on mental health and well-being. At the same time, we underscore the enduring influence of Czech educational heritage, particularly its commitment to aesthetic experience, visual literacy, and the integration of art with broader cultural and civic life.

By revisiting the legacy of the 1966 Congress and tracing key developments over the intervening decades, we seek to illuminate both continuities and ruptures in Czech art education. In doing so, we hope to foster a renewed dialogue between past and present, national and international perspectives, and between tradition and innovation. This Congress offers not only a space for exchange, but also an opportunity to reaffirm the shared values that connect our diverse educational practices across the world.

10.38 Taking Care of Myself: Art Education Supporting the Mental Health and Well-being of Young People (Workshop) – virtual

Jana Jiroutová – secretary of the Czech Section of INSEA | Department of Art Education, Faculty of Education, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic

Petra Šobáňová – vice-president of the Czech Section of INSEA | Department of Art Education, Faculty of Education, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic

Abstract:

Art education holds a unique potential to become a powerful tool in supporting mental health, self-awareness, and resilience in children and adolescents. This virtual workshop introduces the educational and methodological initiative Taking Care of Myself, developed at the Faculty of Education, Palacký University Olomouc, in response to the growing need for systematically fostering well-being in school environments.

Participants will explore specific activities that combine artistic expression, emotional reflection, and safe group sharing. A key feature of the workshop is the introduction of Emotion Cards – an original projective tool designed to support communication about emotions and internal experiences.

The session will present practical methodological approaches for using projective techniques in teaching, school projects, and preventive programs. It will also outline principles of expressive art activities, the essentials of a safe framework, and examples of good practice from schools participating in the project.

Designed as both a creative challenge and a methodological prompt, the workshop is intended for teachers, school counsellors, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, education, and psychosocial support. Together, we will explore how art education can contribute to students’ well-being and meaningful personal development in the school setting.

About Jana Jiroutová

Jana Jiroutová, M.Phil., Ph.D., studied English for Translators at Palacký University Olomouc and Literary Translation at Trinity College Dublin. She earned her Ph.D. in Art Pedagogy from Palacký University, where she has worked as an assistant professor since 2016. Her research focuses on the history of museum and gallery education and contemporary museum culture in a global context. She has participated in a number of research projects. Jana is a member of the editorial board of Výtvarná výchova and has served on the board of the Czech Section of InSEA, currently as its secretary.