Teaching Professionals

Advice, Ideas, Resources for 
Teaching Professionals

Posted:  February 19, 2012
 
 Concept:  Process vs. Product

Excellent artwork, Teacher!

 Now, can the 2-year old have a turn?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making cute little pictures/crafts like this every now and then.  Parents LOVE crafts with hand prints for keepsakes.  Being an only child, my mom treasured every single piece of art that I made as a child, and 30 years later many of my childhood "masterpieces" remain in a box in her attic.   

It is important for teachers to understand the importance of the art process, as well as the difference between "arts" and "crafts."  Read the description from EarlyChildhoodNews.com, providing clarification for each:

Source:  Article from EarlyChildhoodNews.com: "Arts, Crafts & Creativity in School-Age Child Care & Recreation" (Author: Anna Reyner, M.A.) 

1. Know the Difference between Arts and Crafts  

The process of making art and the process of making crafts are related but they are different activities. Many people think of “arts and crafts” as if they were really one process. However, practice with making a painting and making a birdhouse show us that arts and crafts are really quite different activities. While art is an open-ended or 'unstructured' activity, crafts are goal oriented or 'structured.' In the above example, painting is an art activity and a birdhouse is a craft activity. A good arts and crafts program provides both types of activities, and allows children to experiment and learn from both.

Craft Activities:

Are structured projects with a pre-determined goal

Are project-oriented activities with a clear beginning, middle, and end

Involve assembly of 3-dimensional materials which are then decorated

Require specific materials

Art Activities:

Are unstructured, open-ended activities with no pre-determined goal

Are process-oriented activities with no clear beginning, middle, or end

Use a variety of basic art or craft material with no specific instruction sheet

Require an instructor or leader who is comfortable with open-ended art

Key Words for Distinguishing ARTS from CRAFTS

      Arts                                                Crafts

      Open-Ended                        Goal Oriented

    Unstructured                           Structured

              Process                          Process & Product

        Creativity                             Skill Building

         Emotional Release               Critical Thinking Skills

                Self Expression                   Discipline, Staying on Task

                             Feeling                      Thinking, Relating, Coordinating

2. Separate Arts as Process from Art as Product  

      Art as Process                    Art as Product

    Education                            Fine Art

         Recreation                      Commercial Art

           Therapy                            Decorative Arts