Owning failure: insights into the perceptions and understandings of art educators.

Fremantle, Chris; Kearney, Gemma

Abstract

Failure forms an important dimension of art and design and is inherent in creative endeavours. This article explores current literature on failure in the art and design context and offers a contribution through qualitative research drawing upon interviews with lecturing staff in a UK art school. The findings from this research emphasise the complexity of the concept of failure. Three key themes emerged regarding respondents' perceptions of failure: failure as a process, as a means of learning and as an issue in assessment culture. This research is exploratory in nature, and whilst the limitations of the small sample are accepted, the article contributes to the dialogue and discussion surrounding the often emotive concept of failure.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2015
• Journal: International journal of art and design education
• Print ISSN: 1476-8062
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-8070
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 309-318
• Institution Citation: FREMANTLE, C. and KEARNEY, G. 2015. Owning failure: insights into the perceptions and understandings of art educators. International journal of art and design education [online], 34(3), pages 309-318. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12083
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12083
• Keywords: Failure; Artists; Practice led; Pedagogies; Learning