Part of teaching our children to value art and artists is to make sure they understand that artists make an economic and cultural contribution. Teachers can ask children to do further research at home. There are artist-designed patterns on dishes and bedsheets, clothing and furniture. Any kitchen pantry will contain packages designed and illustrated by artists. From placemat designs to bath toys, any home is a showcase of work created by artists from many areas.
Older children are particularly interested in the work of artists outside the home and school.
Posters on the sides of trucks and buses were created by artists, and children can often find innovative graphic displays in stores. When I show these things to children, I always point out how and where an artist has had a hand in making them, and I stress the fact that this is his or her job. I think that part of the responsibility of teaching our children to value art and artists is to make sure they understand that artists make an economic as well as a cultural contribution to society. Every child has a developing sense of aesthetics. Another may prefer certain colors, small spaces, or patterned surfaces.