CONT949: Expressive Arts-Informed Practices in Educational Settings
Expressive arts-informed practices are gaining momentum in K–12 education, offering powerful ways to foster cross-curricular learning and collective engagement. Rooted in cultural celebration and community connection, these practices honour Indigenous knowledge and languages, welcome newcomer families, and strengthen belonging through shared artistic expression.
This course explores the transformative potential of expressive arts-informed practices in teaching and learning. Through storytelling, music, visual arts, performance, and applied design, you’ll discover how creative practices can enhance communication, inspire self-expression, and build inclusive classroom communities.
Grounded in equity and healing-centred pedagogy, this course equips you with the tools to integrate expressive arts across disciplines. By the end, you’ll be able to create culturally sustaining learning environments that support student well-being and deepen engagement.
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn and Do
In this course you’ll have the opportunity to
- analyze the intersection of social justice, healing, well-being, and equity in arts-informed education
- apply expressive arts practices to foster culturally responsive and inclusive learning environments
- design interdisciplinary learning experiences that integrate storytelling, music, visual arts, and performance
- evaluate the role of arts in enhancing social emotional learning across educational contexts
- differentiate between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation in classroom practices
- integrate the First Peoples’ Principles of Learning and Indigenous storywork into holistic pedagogical approaches
- critique artistic representations and their implications in the context of artificial intelligence and cultural expression
- create a portfolio that blends artistic inquiry with teaching and reflective practice
- facilitate student engagement through participatory and socially engaged arts-based activities
- plan a community-based event that showcases student art and promotes collective learning
Assessments
Module 1
Drawing Connections Across Arts and Learning
Module 2
Honouring Indigenous Arts and Storytelling
Progress Update 1
Module 3
Creating Cultures of Well-Being in Education
Module 4
Artful Inquiry Across Curricula
Formative Assessment
Module 5
Art for Social Change and Healing Justice
Progress Update 2
Module 6
Connecting Youth, Creativity, and Communities
Module 7
Expressive Arts-Informed Inquiry Project
Summative Assessment