So what are these differences? And is there a more important one within the elementary art curriculum? Well to start off one must understand the difference between the two. “A craft is usually a cookie-cutter or close-ended activity…based on a formula or recipe and all participants follow the same directions and end up with roughly the same result every time” ( Rayme). Crafts then are more like projects that everyone can do by following steps or a recipe and there is often not much variation to the end result no matter who is doing it. A craft for instance that is common in elementary schools is to make a certain ornament around Christmas time. The teacher or room helper will pass out the same materials to each child and then guide the children step by step in what to do, this results in the children all ending up with say a popsicle stick snowman ornament for their tree. Something that is considered a craft however, does not mean that it is any better than a piece of art or vice versa. “With a craft, the individual is de-emphasized, and the focus is the quality of the product…Craft emphasizes the incremental and long-term” (Hadkins). “Often, if the skill is being used in a common…way, people will consider it a craft…on the other hand, crafts and design are sometimes considered applied art.” (ART).
When it comes to art, the definition is quite different, “An art activity is more open-ended, meaning the end product is not always going to be the same” (Rayme). “Art emphasizes the role of the person and uniqueness of the object produced” (Hadkins). For instance, in a given classroom a teacher could instruct students on how to use pastels, a technique, give them the same materials, paper, etc., and ask them to draw a picture that represents them. The results, while similar due to the medium, will surely be extremely different and original based on each child’s perspective. “Art creates an expression or original statement in a meaningful and enduring way” (Rayme).
While the two are different ways to create, is there one that is more important? I believe that there is only a slight difference. Crafts are a great way to get a child’s mind to understand certain techniques that they will need to know all their life, for instance cutting and pasting which is common in crafts. I think that crafts should be implemented at least once in a while in the classroom because they give the children opportunities to produce a great piece and again just have some simple fun in the creation process. However, creating art is slightly more important because art projects will provide the child with numerous opportunities and items they will use throughout life. While creating art projects, children learn to think critically, use their imagination, understand how to express themselves, etc. Children will more likely understand and implement these and other concepts throughout the rest of their life if they get to learn them in a fun environment such as an art project where they got to create something special, unique and different.
"ART." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art#Classification_disputes>.
Hadkins, Evan. "My Father's Work." Compelling Resource. N.p., 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 22
Oct. 2010. <http://counsellingresource.com/features/2010/02/23/art-and-craft/>.
Rayme, Mary. "Art vs. Craft." Suite101.com. N.p., 13 Oct. 2010. www.google.com. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.suite101.com/content/art-vs-craft-a296484>.
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