Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) and Choice Based Art are a pedagogical framework that promote centering student voice in art making. In a TAB classroom, the teacher "frontloads" skills and curriculum concepts  and students spend a short amount of time practicing. Students then create art  through a  real life application without the concept or media being directed by the teacher. TAB allows students to work as artists do in the world, originating their own ideas, developing their own concepts, and choosing their own media to generate artwork that is all their own. In doing so, TAB cultivates creative thinking, empowers student voice, and assists in the development of independent thinking and an adaptable mindset. 

In the context of anti-racist curriculum and education, TAB and choice art are instrumental in creating a culturally inclusive and responsive classroom where student identity is elevated and centralized. TAB teaching naturally lends itself to anti-racist education by allowing for diverse perspectives to be shared and valued. 

The examples in "TAB Student Art" came out of one classroom. Each work explores concepts that are important to the individual artist. The student might have spent a day, two, or more exploring media before starting the sustained project. In a TAB classroom, process is far more valuable than product. The "Eight Studio Habits of Mind" are the central assessment guide for the educator. 

Learn more about TAB teachingforartisticbehavior.org 

What is TAB? Learn More Here

Adding “Ourselves” into Anti-Racism Work by Julie Toole, TAB Board Chair DEI&J

Eight Studio Habits of Mind

Facebook Group : Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) Educators

Where Are You on the Choice Spectrum