Why actually are we trying to make these encounters happen with our kids? I think that having an overview of the major figures in art history, that’s fine and good, but really that’s history. You teach that in order to teach your children to place things in a chronology, and to understand how the world changes over time. That is a good thing to know, but it’s history. That’s different from deriving wonder and joy or creative inspiration from a work of art in a way that affects you. Art history and art appreciation are different.You can listen to the podcast here, or read the transcript here.
The point of art appreciation is not that your child can look and sound smart by being able to name-drop the famous artists. The point is that the child really engages with the art in way that’s meaningful. And perhaps, if the child is so inclined, that inspires him to pursue it, as a profession or a serious hobby throughout his or her life. It’s okay to concentrate on those types of art that are generally appealing to children. We’ve already started talking about picture books; I think that illustrated books are really, really key here. Probably the best thing you can do to say I want my children to appreciate art, is fill your home with very good illustrated books, either ones you own, or get by using the libraries.