Innovating schools through dialogic arts-based practice: ingredients for engaging students with a whole new mind

Abstract

While the "scientific" debate about school dropouts has ensued, some have taken matters into their own hands, creating successful non-school based programs on the arts for at-risk youth based. Their efforts demonstrate powerful results for learning and human development. We suggest that it is time to incorporate this knowledge base, and as well, explore its potential for an integrated model of learning that considers the creative needs of all individuals. During the fall of 2011, we introduced a pilot project to work with storytelling and painting with a group of youth in a full pull-out program. In this article, we share stories from our experience and offer insights about the complex road ahead to inject creativity into mainstream schools. The importance here is to insure that all students will be better equipped for a future that engages the whole mind and being.