About

John Johnston graduated with a PhD from the University of Sunderland, presenting a portfolio and thesis that highlighted the intrinsic connectivity between artistic thinking and conflict transformation. He presents a hybrid identity of artistic activist - educator and openly promotes an issues-based arts pedagogy as a vehicle for social change.

He asserts that the world is in the grip of an apathetic education system promoting a culture of inertia. This leads to the de-politicisation of society and a loss of agency. John states that an issues-based arts education counteracts the effect of political and cultural inertia and leads to the development of the caring critical society we need to change the world.

During the four-year research period of the UNESCO Mandate, Johnston will construct a research team comprised of staff and others including artists, academics, educators, and cultural workers. Together with this team, Johnston will explore how 'Issues Based Arts Education' can be used as a tool to promote social cohesion and intercultural dialogue. Issues Based Arts Education, abbreviated as IBAE, is an adaptable teaching approach that emphasizes pressing themes relevant to people, their circumstances, and the present moment. Ultimately, IBAE places the issue itself at the heart of a creative exploration, enriching both individual and collective awareness.

Dr John Johnston, head of iMAE and UNESCO Chairholder at ArtEZ

These three words - 'people, places, times' - hold particular significance for Johnston. “These three words essentially encapsulate what the UNESCO Chair is about for me, namely that I want to prove that Issues Based Art Education is a pedagogy that allows us to educate people and communities in a way that is tailored to the times we live in, the place where it is delivered, and the people involved,” Johnston explains.

What does it mean to be human? And what does it mean to be in this specific place, at this specific time? Issues Based Art Education is for me a way to make education more about that: about people, places and the times we live in.”

Dr John Johnston, head of iMAE and UNESCO Chairholder at ArtEZ

Art education as a means to envision (possible) futures

Johnston sees a significant role for the arts and art education in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. He states, “In a post-conflict situation and community, it is important for people to envision the future again. Because that's what people lose in a conflict: a future. And art is particularly effective in reigniting that imagination. In addition to building a portfolio of situations where Issues Based Art Education has demonstrably contributed to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and intercultural dialogue, we will also develop training for teachers teaching in post-conflict situations. In this way, we aim to train them to become artist educators, and thus educators who can use art as a tool to address issues and engage in dialogue.”

From student-centered to meaning-centered

The underlying mission that drives this UNESCO Chair for Johnston is a need to make education more meaning-based. “The regular education system still focuses too much on the individual: on the personal development of the student. I would like us to move towards a form of education where meaning-making is central. So, what does it mean to be human? And what does it mean to be in this specific place, at this specific time? Issues Based Art Education is for me a way to make education more about that,” says Johnston.

This chair, to me, is a recognition of the impact of art education, and it puts ArtEZ on the map as the leading educational and research institution in the field of art education.”

Dr John Johnston