Students' Perception of Success in the Art Classroom

Interested in learning about current perceptions of success held by high school students, we carried out a qualitative research study in order to examine what adolescents identify as success in different contexts. Through discourse analysis, we found that the students' artworks served as a means to communicate their current challenges, values, and goals. We also learned that the students often reflected the messages about success that they received from society. Though they valued personal expression in their artwork, students struggled in identifying art education as important.