The United States Society for Education through Art actively advocates for human rights, equality, and diversity in our schools, museums, and other educational settings. The recent murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers condemned globally and all past incidents of racism, anti-Blackness, and other forms discrimination are violations of human rights that demise humanity and the fundamentals of our democratic society. As a professional art education organization, we denounce police brutality, structural oppression of race, and other discriminatory actions. In solidarity and support for the global movement for resistance and systematic changes, we do not tolerate the prevalence of invisible or overt racism and violence.  

 

As forward-thinking and equitable educators, the USSEA members will use art education pedagogies and resources to advocate for social justice and address diversity concerns and problems. We engage our students and community members in an inclusive, equitable, and diverse art education. Recognizing the power of art and visual culture, we believe our work is critically essential to help current and future generations enjoy the right of being treated fairly and equally in all circumstances. Art is one of the few channels in life that allows all people to breathe and to share their unique voices with dignity and validity. We challenge the oppression and discrimination of institutional ignorance and hierarchical structure, along with counteracting unacceptable violence with solidarity and mutual support. We also believe that more equitable, inclusive, and diversified education should be developed in Pre-k-12 and higher education. Therefore, we encourage all art educators to work to achieve this goal and to promote the active transformation of inequity and bias through resilience, solidarity, and justice in our universities, schools, and communities. 

 

As a professional association of art educators, the USSEA supports and advocates the following:

 

• Support racial justice and equity of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOAC). 

• Remove and counteract systemic discrimination and violence on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and other social identities

• Care and support the victims, their families, and communities due to police violence and other physical and emotional violence

• Create, develop, and implement art education resources to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

 

In addressing the challenge of discrimination, oppression, and injustice, we acknowledge that there are many holes and gaps in higher education and our schools, which should be removed and reformed to raise the next generation to see their own value and to stand up against inhuman actions and violence in our society.

 

USSEA is a society of art educators who share a strong support for diversity and culturally pluralistic concerns in art education with others nationally and internationally. USSEA members promote greater understanding and respect for learners from all backgrounds through research, art curricula development, instruction, and creative professional practices. USSEA shares and supports projects, research, and publications that are in accordance with the mission of our organization and membership.