Lana Skender: APPROACHING CULTURAL HERITAGE REVITALIZATION THROUGH THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY IN VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION
Review Article
Lana Skender, Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, Croatia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59014/PCCT8015
Keywords:
cultural heritage, revitalization, sustainable development, visual arts, visual art education
Abstract
Visual arts education serves as a dynamic platform for raising awareness about the
importance of preserving cultural heritage by fostering a deeper understanding of
the past and encouraging creative expression in revitalization efforts. Sustainable
revitalization of cultural heritage represents a holistic approach considering heritage
preservation’s environmental, social, and economic dimensions. By integrating
sustainable practices into cultural heritage revitalization, we ensure the continued
existence and creation of new values while preserving the planet and its resources for
future generations. Sustainable revitalization practices reduce negative ecological impacts
through environmentally friendly materials and ensure the long-term survival
of cultural landscapes by controlling visitor numbers to protect the cultural and natural
integrity of the site. Economic sustainability of cultural heritage sites is achieved
through repurposing their original roles, with the choice of revitalization methods
depending on the site’s condition, significance, and national cultural policies. Education
and awareness of the importance of cultural heritage include educating students
and local communities about the site’s significance, its history, and the importance of
sustainable revitalization practices for long-term preservation. This research explores
the potential of visual arts education in raising awareness about sustainable practices
in cultural heritage preservation. The objectives of the study are:
(1) to investigate how visual arts education can raise awareness of sustainable practices
and the value of cultural heritage revitalization, (2) to analyze the integration
of sustainable development principles in the Visual Arts Curriculum in the context
of cultural heritage revitalization, and (3) to explore how the issue of cultural
heritage revitalization can contribute to the pillars of sustainability by connecting
with the cross-curricular theme of Sustainable Development. Through qualitative
content analysis, the research reveals that the Croatian Visual Arts Curriculum partially
addresses sustainability challenges in cultural heritage through revitalization.
However, it highlights the lack of detailed methodological guidelines for effective
implementation.
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