Abstract

This study investigates the teaching of art to street-kids, its effect on their sense of self-esteem or self-worth, their belief in their own creative potential and the process by which all this takes place. A method of action research has been used, relying chiefly on observation and behavioral data as well as sociological inquiry in the form of both conversational and standardized interviews. It was found that the alternative art-educator needs to rescue the idealism of street-kids, enticing them to return to main-stream society, to become independent. This is made possible by the application of a carefully structured art program, based on literacy, such as the one being run by Projeto Axe of Brazil.