The Role of Art in Character Education for a Violence-Free Generation
By Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem M.A., Ph.D.
Character education is not merely about memorizing norms or moral principles; it's about instilling values of care, responsibility, and the courage to act justly. Art plays a strategic role in forming a generation free from violence: it is not just entertainment, but a tangible medium that allows children to know themselves, internalize the perspectives of others, and practice humanitarian values.
Ethics of Care and Social Skills
Nel Noddings states that the ethics of care is rooted in relationships of mutual concern and open-heartedness. In practice, group art activities—such as collage, participatory theater, or collective music—require children to listen, respect friends' ideas, and act responsively. Through this process, the value of caring grows naturally and forms a moral foundation that opposes aggressive attitudes.
UNESCO also asserts that arts education enhances social and emotional skills, including empathy, tolerance, and cultural sensitivity. When students are invited to create diversity murals or dance in multicultural groups, they practice cooperation and the recognition of differences. UNESCO evaluations show that participation in the arts correlates positively with civic engagement and respectful behavior.
Empirical Evidence and Challenges in Indonesia
A study by Cabedo‐Mas, Nethsinghe, and Forrest (2017) in Australia and Spain found that arts-integrated curricula contribute to peacebuilding and the development of students' civic competence. Schools that regularly staged drama performances with themes of friendship reported a 30% decrease in bullying incidents and an increased sense of solidarity.
In Indonesia, challenges remain significant. The National Survey on the Life Experiences of Children and Adolescents (SNPHAR, 2024) recorded that over 50.8% of school-aged children have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence. This figure demands proactive efforts: not just post-violence intervention, but prevention through strong character formation. Art, in all its forms—visual, musical, dance, or theater—provides a safe space for children to process emotions and build lasting habits of respect.
Kids Biennale and Ecosystem Collaboration
As a tangible manifestation of the integration of art and character education, Kids Biennale Indonesia carries the theme "Growing Without Fear" in its exhibition at the National Gallery of Indonesia (July 3–31, 2025). Over 1,000 works—paintings, installations, short films, photography, and wayang cilik (small puppets)—serve as a mirror of children's creativity and courage. These works are not merely aesthetic but embody values of empathy, justice, and cooperation.
Kids Biennale collaborates with educators, artists, psychologists, and policymakers to create an ecosystem that supports character development. Educators are trained to adopt arts-based learning methods; parents are encouraged to appreciate children's creations at home; curriculum developers are invited to consider art as an instrument of character education. This cross-sector collaboration—education, culture, health, and social—is cited by UNESCO as key to the sustainability of educational arts programs.
Providing ample space for art means giving children a foundation to know themselves, process emotions, and form a character that rejects violence. With the synergy of all stakeholders, arts-based character education not only prevents violence but also prepares a generation that is empowered, empathetic, and ready to build a peaceful social order.
The author is a Professor of Early Childhood Education and Social Welfare at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, an expert advisor to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, and a member of the Board Advisor of Kids Biennale Indonesia. The article was published in the Opinion Column of Detik.com on June 17, 2025. Access it at https://news.detik.com/kolom/d-7967075/peran-seni-dalam-pendidikan-karakter-untuk-generasi-bebas-kekerasan