Open-Ended Art: Setting Up for Success

Open-ended art is defined as an art activity where children are free to use their imagination as they explore a variety of materials, without a planned idea of what the final project will look like. This usually takes place in the form of an art centre where children have large blocks of uninterrupted time to explore art materials and create projects at their own pace. However, when children have free access to an art centre, teachers may be challenged by mess and waste. The key is setting up the environment for success.