Applied Visual Arts

This chapter traces the development of applied visual arts (AVA), specifically in a program at the University of Lapland in Finland. It examines context‐driven model of art and arts‐infused education as it is practiced in Northern Europe. The title of the program – Applied Visual Arts – is indicative of its aims. Visual arts are applied in a context‐sensitive, ethical, and sustainable way. The core values of AVA include participation, engagement, collaboration, and innovation. In this model of arts education, training focuses on developing the ability to work with a wide range of collaborators, normally in community‐based situations. The chapter includes two examples of projects to show how AVA principles work in practice. It describes the background to AVA and discusses how it operates in a space of practice somewhere between art, design, education, and social work to consider how the operational methods developed by AVA may provide innovative tools for learning. It concludes with some thoughts about future directions.