How Technology Made Learning Art More Accessible To Aspiring Artists

During this time of remote living when the education landscape seems turbulent, there is only one constant — Technology.

Technology is sweeping through every world, and the art world is no exception. Technology is changing the way we appreciate art. Art enthusiasts are using mobiles, tablets and laptops for sketching, drawing and painting. Technology is a great medium for aspiring artists to get access to art education.

Like the rest of the world, Australia has embraced technology and digital lifestyle which is being used as a supplement, not replacement to the creative aspects of art forms.

Are Art and Technology Compatible?

Gone are the days when art and technology were considered incompatible; students were encouraged not to focus on art, but to opt for science and technology if they wanted to bag a high-paying job. Today, art is an essential part of STEAM — an expansion of the popular acronym STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) courses — wherein the added 'A' stands for Arts.

Instead of focusing solely on hard sciences, STEAM includes the creativity of arts to make students well rounded, and gives everyone a chance to succeed in their interests and talents. Creative digital tools are allowing student artists of all age to access, create, and enjoy art. Technology has become as common in art education as paintbrushes and pastels.

However, traditional art materials and methods can never lose importance in art education. The key is to find the right balance of traditional methods and technical integration.

Art has many forms like painting, sculpture, music, dance, photography, films to name a few. Each form uses technology to enhance creativity. Here are some ways that technology is making art easier to access.

Museums

Big Museums like the Louvre in Paris and public galleries have taken to the Internet to post their collections online. Thus, people from all over the world get the chance to enjoy artworks/sculptures/photographs by famous artists, right from the comforts of their home, office, or desk. Many museums have created their own apps to allow art students to explore and learn about art, its history, and specific artists.

Social Media

Social Media is playing an important role in the modern art sector. Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are perfect tools for artists to showcase their work to varied viewers. More and more students and budding artists are reaching out to art professionals directly on social media for e-communication.

Aspiring musicians for instance, no longer need to wait around to grab the attention of key record labels. They can break into the music industry if they can create a strong YouTube following, or maybe release original music through a digital platform. Even artificial intelligence (AI) is empowering aspiring musicians.

Apps to Create and Transform Art

There are numerous apps which students can use to create their own art and also to transform any traditional art they have already made. Many of these apps are free and allow a screen to substitute for brushes and canvas. Students can learn many art fundamentals like depth and space, perspective, color value and 3D forms. These are professional apps that let one edit artwork, photos or videos just with fingertips, literally.

Art Websites

The huge number of art websites makes it easy to sell art online, or, for a potential buyer to browse art pieces before purchasing. Some even offer trial option before you buy – quite similar to Netflix - wherein you can rent a piece before actually buying.

Teachers are Transforming Teaching Strategies

Teachers can be located almost anywhere in the world and use digital technology to provide advice and support to students who are learning from their home. Resources like projectors, document cameras, iPads, Chrome books and Smart Boards allow teachers to impart knowledge in new, effective ways. They can even use apps to conduct organised formative assessments of students.

Art educators are increasingly focusing on making curricula more flexible, urging students to explore outside their departments to master any tools they need to create the art they want to make.

People with Disability get Access to Relevant Art Programs

In the past, people affected with disabilities were unable to undertake art education due to movement constraints or visual impairments. With the advent of art through technology, such individuals are getting the chance to have a better understanding of arts. For instance, the visually impaired can enjoy art through descriptive words that conjure an image in their minds.

Film Making and Animation

Technology has made film-making more accessible than ever. There are multiple art forms involved in such a collaborative project — script writing, music, photography, visual arts, performing arts, etc. There are also many photography courses online for students who are interested in photography or camera operating.

New Art Forms are Flourishing

For a start, technology has created art forms like photography and filmmaking. Even entirely new art forms like animation, green screen, I Motion videos and 3D printing have flourished due to the advent of technology.

Technology is Democratising the Art World

From machine learning to AR and VR, new technologies are making the art world a more inclusive and engaging place for aspiring artists and connoisseurs alike. This has tremendously reduced disparities in who can access art education.

Promotes Collaboration

Technology in art classrooms allows students the opportunity to show their work, share ideas and collaborate with others.

Increases Opportunities for Research

Love for technology propels students to spend innumerable hours on smart phones, tablets and laptops. Students can use these tools for educational benefit, to do research for art projects. There are many ways to use technology to get students researching about art careers.

Digital Portfolios

Digital portfolios are an effective way for teachers to see the students’ ongoing project and for the student to organise work without taking up space. Students looking to pursue career in arts must have digital portfolios.

The ultimate goal of art education is to enable teachers to do their jobs well and students to showcase their creativity using traditional methods as well as digital tools.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes