The purpose of this study is to shed light on the role and possibility of art
education based on the prospect for the accelerating social change and future
education. The problems and limitations of modern school system are felt widely
in the theory and practice of education. In the search of alternatives, creativity and
convergence have become the key to the new concept of education that would
enable future students to deal with complex problems. Especially, convergence
education is considered as the means for overcoming the fragmentation and
meaninglessness of knowledge and learning. In the respect, this study raises the
following questions: What role can art education play in future convergence
education that places an emphasis on creativity? In what direction, should art
education change in regard with cognitive development and convergence?
This study examines the limitations of school education in association with
the prospect of changing future society. Based on the diagnosis of modern
educational system that was molded to serve the industrial society, convergence
education is conceptualized as a pedagogical effort beyond integrated education.
Then this study investigates how art education can take an important part in
forming convergent thinking. Specifically, imagination, integrated cognition,
relational thinking and empathy are discussed as the essential factors that help
students cross the borders of academic epistemology and connect a wide range of
knowledge in different disciplines.