Results of an action research to support the cultural competence of teachers and artists with aesthetic education

Abstract

One of the two primary skills that are expected of teachers in Quebec is to act as cultural facilitators. This skill is also required for artists who work with teachers and students in cultural activities. However, many teachers and artists feel incompetent in this area. To address this issue, an action research project was conducted to provide aesthetic education to teachers and artists in order to develop their skills in cultural mediation. The study involved eight participants, including two teachers and six artists, and aimed to explore how aesthetic education could enhance their professional practice. We gathered data from semi-structured interviews, meeting minutes, logbooks, and activities created by the participants. A qualitative interpretive approach was applied to analyze the collected data. The findings indicate that aesthetic education confirmed and improved their existing practice. They also emphasized the importance of providing experimentation opportunities, time, and guidance to support the cultural competence of both teachers and artists.