Art education as a potential integrating force in the culture of Ghana

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1985-04-19
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Abstract
This study is an attempt to find answers to some of Ghana’s cultural problems through the medium of art education. Contemporary Ghanaian society is seen as caught between two opposing forces: traditional and Western values. The society appears not to be paying enough attention to its traditional values. Instead, Western norms and values are being blindly adopted with little critical examination. This has created a confusing situation which impedes national progress. The study therefore undertakes to examine the possible causes of these problems, which it identifies as resulting mainly from Western acculturation. It advances the proposal that the solution to problems can be approached through adoption of nature-oriented art programmes in schools. Nature is seen as the basis of Ghanaian traditional culture. Re-establishing the traditional link with nature may open the way to finding solutions to two main problems: 1. the problem of loss of cultural identity. Going back to nature will pave the way to the Ghanaian rediscovering his cultural identity; and 2. the problem of lack of creativity in solving national problems. Going back to nature will form the basis for developing modern technological awareness in the society by directing the attention of the school generation to using the environment creatively, thus initiating meaningful change. The argument is supported with John Dewey’s views on art, nature and pragmatic education. The Bauhaus experience is also cited to support the case for using art as a stepping stone for technological progress. The study continues with the presentation of ideals upon which a nature-centred art programme may be based. A previously tried programme for university-level foundation art is examined and analyzed. It concludes with the presentation of an outline of general principles to be considered in preparing such nature-centred programmes in Ghana. Research is based on the writer’s personal observations and extensive library studies.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Art Education, 1985
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