As LGBT+ History Month is coming to an end here in the UK, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share this list of over 60 artists identifying as LGBTQIA+. The aim is to celebrate their work, their lives and share their artwork with our students. I’m sure I don’t need to express the importance of visibility in our subject, but I did want to share a little insight into the LGBT+ History Month charity 🎨 🏳️🌈
LGBT+ History Month is celebrated every February and it is for everyone, including us art teachers and our students. LGBT+ History Month is a registered charity whose aim is to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“LGBT+”) people, their history, lives, their experiences in the curriculum and culture of educational, other institutions, and the wider community.
The charity works to raise awareness and advance education on matters affecting the LGBT+ community by: making educational and other institutions safe spaces for all LGBT+ communities; as well as promoting the welfare of LGBT+ people by ensuring that the education system recognises and enables LGBT+ people to achieve their full potential so they contribute fully to society and lead fulfilled lives, thus benefiting society as a whole.
As an art teacher I also think it is important for us to share artwork by LGBTQIA+ artists, demonstrating that although the artist may identify as LGBTQIA+, their artwork and output is separate from their body or identity, and artists who are LGBTQIA+ produce a full spectrum of artworks and have varying art practises. I have made this list of over 60 LGBTQIA+ artists as student-friendly and classroom appropriate as possible, and I have also tried to include artists working in a range of fields; from photography to sculpture, from jewellery design to illustration and beyond!
The list includes contemporary LGBTQIA+ artists who are just starting out in their careers, as well as established and world-famous artists. I am so happy with the range and mixture of artwork below, the sheer scope of artwork has definitely inspired me (at least!) and I hope it can help your students achieve their potential too. Researching all of these different people was a real treat 🙂
There is a link to download the whole list as a PDF at the end of the post, so you can download it for free if you wish to print it out or attach it to any online classrooms or emails. Of course, you can also just share the direct webpage link… enjoy.
The Art Teacher 