Artists Have Global Awareness: Teaching Students to See Beyond Borders
In today’s classrooms, students are growing up in a world that feels both enormous and small. News travels instantly, images cross borders in seconds, and art has become one of the most powerful ways to connect across cultures. For middle schoolers especially, learning that art isn’t just “pretty pictures” but a reflection of global traditions can open their eyes to a much bigger world.
Why Global Awareness Matters in the Art Room
When students study artists and traditions outside of their own experience, they learn empathy, respect, and curiosity. They see that art is more than personal expression; it’s also cultural expression. Whether it’s the marigolds of Día de los Muertos, the swirling skies of Van Gogh inspired by Japanese prints, or the bold colors of African textiles, every artistic choice connects to a story and a people.
Classroom Strategies to Foster Global Awareness
Compare Traditions: Show students how different cultures use similar symbols, marigolds in Mexico, poppies in Europe, lotus flowers in Asia. What do these flowers communicate in each culture?
Cultural Choice Boards: Provide options that let students explore meaningful traditions, like creating sugar skulls, papel picado, or calaca animals in a Day of the Dead activity. Choice gives students ownership while still honoring the cultural roots of the project.
Gallery Walks: Have each student research a global artist or holiday tradition, then share with peers in a quick gallery-style presentation. Students become both learners and teachers.
Art + Empathy: Ask reflection questions that go beyond technique: “What does this artwork tell us about the people who made it? How does it connect to our own experiences?”
An Example in My Classroom
My students naturally love creating art tied to the seasons, and I’ve found that’s the perfect entry point for building cultural connections. With Día de los Muertos, we start by exploring the vocabulary and history behind the holiday. Learning about ofrendas, pan de muerto, and cempasúchil flowers transforms their perspective. Then, using the Day of the Dead Choice Board, students get to decide how they want to express what they’ve learned. The combination of cultural context and creative choice shifts the experience: they’re not just decorating for a holiday, they’re learning about traditions valued in other cultures. It is also exciting to see students who celebrate this holiday want to share about themselves and their culture with their peers.
Ready-to-Use Resources for Global Awareness
To help teachers weave cultural understanding into their classrooms, I’ve built resources that connect artmaking with global traditions:
Day of the Dead Choice Board – Six creative projects from sugar skulls to mini ofrendas.
10 Words to Learn About Día de los Muertos – A short video + worksheet that teaches essential vocabulary.
Hokusai WAAG – Explore how Japanese prints influenced global artists like Van Gogh.
Each one is designed to save planning time while creating authentic cultural connections for students.
💡 Closing Thought: Artists don’t just make art, they tell the story of their world. By helping our students become globally aware, we’re not just teaching them to draw or paint. We’re teaching them to see.
