When the Artist Studio is Alive, Art is Alive: Empowering Art Educators and Students through Live Studio Practice

Abstract

Art education plays a vital role in developing artistic talent and nurturing creativity. However, the challenges facing art education in many developing countries, including Ghana, are significant. Traditional teaching methods, lack of resources, and cultural and social factors are barriers to the development of high-quality art education programmes and the cultivation of artistic talent. This qualitative study uses textual analysis to explore the potential of live studio practice as a solution to the challenges facing art education in Ghana. With regards to duration, investigation time frame falls between 2012 and 2023. The analysis of selected texts related to art education in Ghana reveals several key themes and patterns related to the challenges facing art education in Ghana and the potential of live studio practice to promote practical skills development, creativity, community engagement, professional skills development, and cultural exchange. The findings of this study disclose that policymakers, educators, and practitioners in the field of art education in Ghana does not prioritize the factor of the development of policies and practices that promote the development of high-quality art education programmes and the cultivation of artistic talent in Ghana through the use of live studio practice. In terms of suitable spaces for the critical artistic studio practical aspects, it is uneasy to have comfortable dwellings for the consistent practical works. These factors donate the hindrance of potentials in the amateur artists. This study contributes to the ongoing debate about the future of art education in Ghana and provides insights into the potential of live studio practice as a solution to the challenges facing art education in Ghana and other developing countries.