What is
Experiential Arts?
ex·peri·en·tial: adjective
1. relating to, derived from, or providing experience.
Experiential Arts (EA) is a framework for communal and participatory artmaking that serves to connect communities, reflect cultures, and relate human experiences.
EA prioritizes the “who” and “why” of artmaking, which acts as a humanizing process, and naturally leads to the “what” and “how” of any artistic process.
EA withdraws from the artistry already within participants, rather than deposit art from the outside, as is customary in “The Arts” and arts education today.
EA works to break the “fourth wall” and invites artists to make art with audiences, rather than for audiences. This in turn engages audiences to become active participants in arts experiences, rather than passive spectators.
EA breaks down additional barriers in the arts and arts education including artistic, cultural, socioeconomic, racial, gender, geographic, and more.
EA can be applied to all mediums of art and areas of arts education and requires minimal resources or expenses to facilitate.
EA embraces emerging advancements in technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and stands to work with these powerful tools rather than in opposition.
What is
Experiential Learning?
Experiential Learning is a framework for how humans learn, develop, and create meaningful change throughout their lives.
Specifically, NO FEAR’s work is informed and inspired by pioneers in the field of Experiential Learning including John Dewey (Art as Experience), Maxine Greene (Releasing the Imagination), and Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed).
Building off of these influential educators’ work, NO FEAR is developing models for Experiential Arts and Learning that invite young artists to:
Connect: We introduce students to communal and participatory artmaking experiences, so they can learn the experiential and humanizing nature of art early on.
Reflect: We encourage students to share their observations, opinions, and curiosities about art, and then reimagine what they believe to be possible.
Relate: We ask students to share what they find personally relevant and meaningful about art, while also considering how to re-interpret their selections and relate their interests in purposeful and powerful ways.
What are examples of
Experiential Arts?
Participatory Music Performances
Social Dance Practices
Experiential Visual Art
Standup and Improv Comedy
Immersive Theater
Interactive Food and Cooking Demonstrations