Caucus on Social Theory
Submitted by Ed Check
News: Recognizing, welcoming, and promoting Difference
On Tuesday, May 4th, the Social Caucus convened a constitutional
meeting,
at the Phoenix convention, to discuss the direction of the caucus,
raise issues concerning constitutional changes, and address other
concerns. It was proposed that the Social Caucus invite a nascent
group of lesbian, gay, and bisexual art educators to become a
working group or committee within the affiliate of the Social
Caucus. Past President Amy Brooke Snyder will serve as a liaison
between the Social Caucus and the L/G/Bi Teacher's group. She
will work closely with the L/G/Bi teachers toward establishing
a cohesive and viable group within the Caucus, aimed at defining
its identity and focus within the larger NAEA.
Historically, lesbian, gay, and bisexual teacher concerns and issues have been noticeably absent from NAEA convention programs. Recently, this writer's presentation at the Phoenix conference entitled: "Silent Voices Within the Ranks: A Meeting Place for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Art Educators," provided interested and courageous art educators a space to share experiences and concerns about art education and issues of homophobia, invisibility, and representation. The purpose of the workshop was to provide a space for non-heterosexuals before reaching out to other allies; a chance to begin to socialize, heal, and assess agendas and concerns. Approximately twenty-five art educators were present.
The presenter introduced himself as a gay male elementary art educator turned doctoral student interested in the politics of sexual orientation and related equity and advocacy issues. He spoke about the opportunities afforded him at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in terms of multicultural and representation courses and the opportunity to write about homosocial and visibility issues in education, art, and art education. He briefly cited how other organizations are handling sexual orientation issues: The American Education Research Association has a special interest group (SIG) of gays and lesbians which publishes a newsletter and a journal; College Arts Association has a strong and viable Gay and Lesbian Caucus; a National Gay and Lesbian Graduate Student Conference will be sponsoring its third annual conference in Minneapolis this upcoming spring; and organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have implemented non-discrimination statements and policies concerning sexual orientation.
After this brief introduction the floor was given to participants to share experiences and concerns. Many were raised: Educational, curricular, personal, professional, art related, association related; issues of trust, job security, discrimination, disclosure, and visibility were all actively discussed. As people participated a sort of story or novel (credit Amy Brooke Snyder) emerged. One participant stated that about seven or so years ago at a national conference in Florida a homo-themed workshop was listed in the program. To the dismay of the participant , the workshop presenter never showed. Another participant, also present at that workshop, stated that he had been responsible for explaining to the people assembled why the workshop was not going to take place. Another person spoke up and stated he was the intended presenter of that workshop and stated why he was not able to present that day. It basically boiled down to issues of censorship, job security, and homophobia (on the part of the presenter's institution). But so much has changed since then. Or has it? Many artists and artist and art associations have positioned themselves in the fight against homophobia and AIDS. The NAEA has remained silent on these issues. Art curricula are ripe for many contemporary social issues, yet little leadership has come from the NAEA to date.
Non-heterosexuals are faced with issues of bias in representation, rendered invisible in histories, and have lacked voices, space and credibility. The workshop in Phoenix was another attempt toward rendering the invisible visible. The Social Caucus has temporarily offered a space for the L/G/Bi Art Educators group to assemble and organize. Calls for workshop proposals and collaborative events are possible. The ideas and topics are endless: Representation of gays and lesbians in art: Rethinking art history; AIDS, homophobia and visual representation; Queers and film; Censorship issues (i. e., Mapplethorpe, Haring, etc.); Art criticism: Does sexual orientation impact art and artists?; Curricular issues about sexual orientation and other issues of difference; Can lesbian and gay artists, historians, critics, etc., offer particular "ways of looking" specifically different from those produced by straight artists, historians, critics, etc.?
So that's the news. The mythic phoenix has given rise to another almost as mythic group-concerned and responsible non-heterosexual art educators. All 'queeries' (intentional) of interest may be directed toward: Ed Check- 41 Lakewood Gardens Lane- Madison, WI 53704-4669 - (608) 244-3414. The L/G/Bi Art Educator's group is indebted to the Caucus on Social Theory for extending an invitation of space to self-define and organize.