Joanna Fursman

4.15 The Problematic Process of Moving beyond Progressive Intent to Create Inclusive Curricula in English Art Classrooms (Paper)

Joanna Fursman – Birmingham City University, UK

Will Grant – The University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

Carol Wild – Institute of Education, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, London, UK

Abstract:

In 2024, we undertook a small-scale survey of art teachers in English secondary schools, primarily to assess, illustratively, how curricula conventions may have changed over the preceding twenty years. One noticeable thematic progression that we identified in the data was a strong intent among our participants to create curricula more inclusive, diverse, and representative of the often-multicultural student demographics in their classroom. We found this interest was rooted in both an ethical understanding of inclusion as morally appropriate to an educational setting, and as means of more authentically introducing contemporary visual art production to students. However, when asked to list artists that featured on curriculum delivered, the outcome did not immediately reflect the intentions that teachers had conveyed. In this paper we explore the conventions, frameworks, traditions, and barriers that have seemingly created a split between inclusive intent and curricular reality in English secondary school art classrooms. We ask whether this is representative of a transitional paradigm, or suggestive of school art as a territory inherently resistant to curricula change.

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12.5 Steps of Ten (Art project)

Joanna Fursman – Birmingham City University, UK

Abstract:

These photographs were made with children at The Oval School in Yardley, Birmingham, England and made for a commission for Ikon Gallery Creative Connections programme with Birmingham Primary Schools. Aiming to give the children the autonomy to decide and explore what they wished to capture, the children used their photography skills to explore everyday journeys they make around school and connections to significant spaces around the environment where they learn. Using a ‘Photo Walk’ method, the images were achieved by taking a photograph every 10 steps, capturing and documenting important places helped the children to express new connections to things and spaces, express feelings and begin discussions.

Joanna Fursman – Steps of Ten

13.7 Looking for a New School Portrait (2017 onwards) (Artwork)

Joanna Fursman – Birmingham City University, UK

Abstract:

Joanna Fursman is an artist, educator and researcher and completed her doctoral research at Birmingham School of Art, UK. Her research examines non-normative representations of education, specifically through photography and lens-based practice. This focus foregrounds young people’s photography and involves working collaboratively on an ongoing project entitled ‘Looking for a New School Portrait’ to investigate contemporary experiences of being educated in primary and secondary school. Joanna is a senior lecturer in Art Education at Birmingham City University. Fursman’s images were made with students aged between 16 and 18 studying art at a college of further education in England. They capture the unspoken aspects of studying art and its pedagogy, where using and working with concepts and materials demand reflection and thinking before taking next steps in making.

My research examines how educators and students negotiate the complexity of art making in education contexts. These images were made with students studying art and design at a college of further education in the West Midlands, England. They capture the moments of ‘thinking through’ that the students might experience while making, practicing and developing their art projects. The images were made during the making of a SHIFT film for Freelands Foundation and feature a combination and montage of film still and documentary image. They aimed to examine the experience of educating and being educated through art and how pedagogy effects the decisions and choices by educators and students.

Joanna Fursman – Looking for a New School Portrait (2017 onwards) (Artwork)