Exploring art integration in a high school library makerspace

This thesis explores the intricacies of integrating art practices into a high school library makerspace. "Art integration" can often be narrowly defined through superficial material processes and additional time-filler activities; however, authentic art integration is embraced through elements such as student-led exploration, connective learning, and reflection of materials and thinking processes. In this study I identified and expanded on the complexities of what art integration can look like in the case of a high school library makerspace. I collected data in a library makerspace at a high school in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Observation notes and sketches, anonymous surveys, staff and student interviews, and artifact photos were documented, examined, and coded through an inductive analysis mapping process considering key elements gathered from Marshall's (2019) Art Inquiry Integration framework. The data revealed insights into what art integration can look like in a high school library makerspace through the description of events, details on how art integration is supported by the facilitator of the space (teacher-librarian), and teacher and student experiences in the space. Factors that fostered authentic art integration identified in this case study were the use of exploratory provocations, student-led learning, and multimodal collaborative learning experiences supported by the teacher-librarian. This study explores the intersection between the theories and practices of art education and maker education by highlighting relevant components between them and in relation to this library makerspace. The results revealed ample potential for high school makerspaces as sites for art integration by providing access to materials and space, as well as settings for cross-disciplinary exploratory learning. This research expands current understandings of the processes and potentials of how art integration can help to develop spaces for exploration, collaboration, and student-led learning in a high school library makerspace.