Janeke Wienk

Art as an Existential Foundation in Education

Janeke Wienk – ArtEZ University of the Art, Netherlands

Abstract:

In this presentation, I aim to honour the transformative goals set by the editors of an InSEA publication that is: to challenge existing power dynamics, promote fairness, and reimagine the role of visual arts within global curricula (Coleman, 2024). While these values align with my commitment to art education, I seek to embody them through real-life art practices rather than abstract definitions. By sharing the experiences of artist educators, I hope to reveal the existential dimension of art in education. To challenge existing power structures, I advocate for art as an essential element in education, rather than as a supplementary addition (Wienk, 2017). This perspective shifts the conversation away from defensively justifying art’s place in education and moves toward a vision of art as integral to the learning environment. Furthermore, my research critiques the overemphasis on art’s cognitive benefits, which are often highlighted due to their measurable outcomes (Biesta, 2009, 2015). Instead, I propose a new approach to art in education, one that emphasizes its existential value – a “third way” that complements but diverges from the traditional intrinsic and instrumental justifications for art (Wienk, 2019, 2020). Influenced by educational philosopher Gert Biesta, I view education – “being at school” – as an inherently existential experience (Biesta, 2021, 2023). In Biesta’s vision, school serves as a free space where students can engage with fundamental human questions, not merely through theoretical discussions but by encountering these questions through lived experiences. This concept of school as an “existential realm” highlights art’s role in helping students navigate essential life questions, encouraging growth and exploration beyond conventional educational metrics. In this way, art becomes a vital “humus layer” in education, grounding students in the experiential practice of living and learning.

A Travel Report: Two Friends, Four Decades, and a Shared Quest for Good Art Education

Janeke Wienk – ArtEZ University of the Art, Netherlands

(with Leontine Broekhuizen)

Abstract:

Art education has undergone profound shifts over recent decades, with traditional approaches evolving, disassembling, and sometimes rediscovering themselves in the face of cultural and artistic changes. Amidst these shifts, art has increasingly become a way for individuals to assert personal and collective values, exploring human experience through creation and appreciation. Leontine Broekhuizen and Janeke Wienk, lifelong friends and colleagues, have navigated these changes together for nearly 40 years across several schools and universities. Their shared journey serves as a narrative of change, reflection, and evolving perspectives within art education. Starting out in a time when the field was actively redefining itself, they immersed themselves in process-based, exploratory teaching methods. A key milestone came in 2002, when they presented a collaborative research project at the InSEA congress in New York – a pivotal moment that set the course for deeper theoretical exploration in their careers. Over the years, Leontine found inspiration in Folkert Haanstra’s concept of “authentic art education,” which values artistic expression that resonates with students’ personal experiences, making art education feel relevant and impactful. Janeke, in parallel, was drawn to Gert Biesta’s existential approach to education, viewing art as an existential means – an artistic open space that invites students to “come-into-the-world.” Today, reflecting on decades of shared insights, Leontine and Janeke see their journey as a tapestry woven from theory, personal reflection, and hands-on practice. Their friendship and commitment have helped them foster deeply meaningful connections with art for countless students, proving that even as the field evolves, the essence of art education – encouraging thoughtful and engaged interactions – remains a vital, enduring force in an ever-changing world.