Hello! I’m David Darts.
Like everyone, I wear many hats (helps keep my head warm in the winter and a little less pink in the summer). Mainly, I am Assistant Professor of Art & Art Education in NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Art & Art Professions. As well, I’m a Core Faculty Member in the Visual Culture program and Co-Director of the Studio Art MA Studio Program in Venice, Italy.
I’m also an activist, artist, writer, aspiring Linux g33k, free range vegan, and father of two beautiful young children.
Research:
My research examines the social and educational roles of art and technology in contemporary society. I’m especially interested in the creative, pedagogical, and democratizing potential of contemporary art, new technologies, social media, open source software, and the free culture movement. If you’re interested in learning more about my research and reading some of my publications, you’re welcome to visit my NYU Faculty Bio page.
Book Project:
I’m currently working on a book project called Creative Tools for Critical Times (CT4CT). This will ultimately be a small book about a big subject: contemporary art, education, and creative citizenship in a rapidly transforming world. Like most such books, it will ask more questions than it answers. But it stems from the belief that critical reflection on democratic life and the possibilities for our future is an essential obligation of responsible citizenship. It also flows from my conviction that our future—and by that I mean the future of humanity—rests on our collective ability to develop, identify, and implement creative tools for critical times.
The book is in open development over at CT4CT.com. Feel free to drop by and let me know what you think.
Background:
I earned my Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from the University of British Columbia in 2004. Prior to joining the faculty at NYU, I was Assistant Professor of Art & Visual Culture Education at the University of Arizona. While there, I started the College Confessions project.
