Leontine Broekhuizen

8.5 A Travel Report: Two Friends, Four Decades, and a Shared Quest for Good Art Education. (Paper)

Leontine Broekhuizen – ArtEZ University of the Art, Netherlands

Janeke Wienk – ArtEZ University of the Art, Netherlands

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.