Petra Šobáňová

Twenty Congresses Later: The Contemporary Czech Art Education (Opening Speech)

Petra Šobáňová, Jana Jiroutová – 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

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

Jana Jiroutová – secretary 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.

11.23 Legal Forms of Cultural Organizations as a Factor of Effectiveness and Educational Impact: The Czech Situation (Poster)

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

Marek Prokůpek – Creative Industries & Culture Expertise Centre, KEDGE Business School, Czech Republic

Abstract:

Cultural and memory institutions in the Czech Republic today face not only challenges related to funding, digitalization, and shifting audiences but also considerable uncertainty in terms of their legal status and institutional framework. This legal ambiguity significantly affects their ability to respond to changing societal demands and to fulfil the public interest in cultural offerings and education.

This contribution presents findings from a research project conducted by the Cultural Industries Research Group (CIRG) at Palacký University Olomouc, focusing on the analysis of the effectiveness of various legal forms of cultural organizations operating in the Czech Republic. Based on interviews and survey data, the paper identifies key issues, advantages, and limitations of specific legal structures in relation to management, financial stability, institutional autonomy, and the ability to carry out educational missions.

The contribution also opens a broader discussion on the need for systemic support in cultural management and legal innovation, which could enhance institutions’ capacities to plan and implement long-term educational strategies. One of the project’s practical outcomes is a forthcoming guide that offers a clear overview of the strengths and weaknesses of different legal forms, particularly with respect to their impact on educational and public-interest activities within cultural organizations.

This research is part of a broader CIRG initiative that investigates the transformation of cultural and media sectors in the context of law, digitalization, and evolving production and educational regimes.

About author

Assoc. Prof. Petra Šobáňová, Ph.D. specializes in art education didactics, art mediation, artephiletics, and the use of expressive approaches in mental health and museum education. She has taught at the Department of Art Education, Palacký University Olomouc, since 2004, where she directs both the Education in Culture and Art Education doctoral programs. She is the founder of the journal Culture, Art and Education and leads projects such as Taking Care of Myself... and My Students. A former chair of the Czech InSEA section, she has received several honours, including the USSEA International Ziegfeld Award for her contributions to art education.