The myth of the eccentric genius: some thoughts about political correctness and art education.(Control of K-12 Arts Education, Part 3: Sectors of Influence)

Question: In American society, what do art teachers think they have in common with artists?

Politically Correct Answer: Art teachers see themselves as artists - creative, dedicated, and lonely.

Recently, while preparing to teach my college art classes for general students - the ones who don't major in art - I came across a videotape on the sculptor David Smith. It portrays the artist as an eccentric, brooding individual driven to create at the expense of personal comfort and family security. He is helpless before his overpowering calling: unique, informally educated, ...