An Introduction to Me and Transformative Learning

My name is Carianna Arredondo and I am an EdD student in the Art & Art Education program here at Teachers College. Originally hailing from San Antonio, Texas, I studied in Indiana at Depauw University where I received my BA in Studio Art, English Writing, and Art History. I began my studies at TC in Fall 2015 as an EdM student in Art Education where I am continuing into the doctoral program (proposing next Fall, eek!).

My line of research focuses on understanding artistic development, identity development, culturally responsive pedagogy, and place-based pedagogy within the context of investigating artist-residency programs (aside: Artist-in-residence programs exist to invite artists, academicians, curators, to reside within the premises of an institution. Some may last for only a few days to even a few years. Some residency programs are incorporated within larger institutions, such as museums, universities, or galleries, some can be stand-alone organizations.). I have several years of experience working in non-profit arts organizations, museums, artist-residency programs, and teaching at the college level; from my ventures in the arts I found that bringing professional, working artists to communities and classrooms creates a reciprocal learning environment for both the artist and audience (in my cases, the community or classroom). Furthermore, I am specifically investigating the relationship between travel and creativity and how artists creating in new spaces reinvigorates their creative practice—likewise, I am looking at the students that shift their normal learning environment from the classroom to the artist-residency space. 

My interest in transformative learning, something in which I know nothing about, stems from my desire to further understand the countless variables that may foster transformative learning in the arts. Because in my research I am particularly interested in the intersectionality between travel, creativity, artistic development, identity development, culturally responsive pedagogy, and place based pedagogy, I think understanding the foundations of transformative learning can immensely inform my research interests.