Abstract:

Since 1985, Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico do Porto (ESE/IPP) has been lecturing teachers for all the Basic Teaching and for Childhood Educators. Recently, in face of the Bologna process changes in high level studies, ESE/IPP renewed all the formative offers without loosing school identity as an institution which aims to prepare educators, teachers and other educational agents. It is in this context that the ESE/IPP offers the degree in Visual Arts and Artistic Technologies, a course integrated in the Scientific-Technical Unity of Visual Arts.
This work aims to divulge, through the mentioned degree, a new concept, implemented outside traditional school, in non-formal contexts.
This degree in Visual Arts and Artistic Technologies has a main goal: to contribute for the cultural and social development, respecting ecological, intercultural and citizenship values. We intend to achieve this goal educating quality skilled professionals to become agents in progress and in areas related to the teaching of arts, implementing community extension projects. We are referring to a new public policy of aesthetic education, which uses the visual arts as a means of democratizing education and, particularly artistic education, assuming it as a social right. Our partners will be institutional systems as the City Halls, Cultural Centres, Recreation Centres, Hospitals, Health Care Centres, among others.
These new professionals are starting a new area in education and action, associating their workto that one that is already done by Social Educators. Its multifaceted and skilled character will reflect itself, undoubtedly, in an aesthetic sensitiveness through plastic value of daily objects, ethnographic and common knowledge, trying to democratize art and improve in quality of life in society.

Keywords:

Democracy, Art, Education.