Creativity in the Classroom: The Intersection of Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Teaching and Art

Multiculturalism is present in the classroom on a daily basis. Everyone has a culture that governs how we perceive the world around us. Culture goes beyond observable and concrete elements, relating to unspoken rules and unconscious assumptions. The classroom environment may naturally challenge the cultural expectations of children, leading them to feel unsafe. The brain is responsible for keeping us alive, when we perceive threats to our safety- both physically and emotionally- that becomes our focus. It’s biological. As culturally responsive-sustaining educators, we have the ability to midgate this response for children by creating environments intentionally designed to reflect a student’s culture. I argue that art is a powerful tool to this end because of its ability to connect children to themselves, each other, and the physical space. It is a multi-sensory modality for expression that has been connecting human beings since the beginning of time. It welcomes multiple intelligences and allows for all students to be successful. Art lends itself to community building, creating safety and belonging in physical spaces. All children need art as a tool to promote deep learning and empower global citizenship through community and creativity.