Art education–mostly for girls?: A gender perspective on the Art subject in Swedish compulsory school

Abstract

This article discusses whether and how Art education is gendered, and whether and how the art world is gendered. The history of Art education is briefly described from a gender perspective, as well as some current reports on Art education in Sweden. The article draws on material from a postgraduate study about Art education and gender. Art lessons were observed and pupils were interviewed about their views on art. Based on the interview data, it is suggested that one reason that Art education is femininely gendered is that the subject is strongly associated with expressing feelings. Concerning the gendering of the art world, more women than men are professional artists today. However, due to the fact that there is a male art historical canon, that is taught in schools, the art world appears to be masculine, making ‘artist’ one possible position for boys within art education. That the art world seems masculine while Art education is gendered feminine is an interesting paradox worthy of further investigation.