Rethinking Music Education as Artizenship Education: Society as a Democratic Learning Space for Music and other Arts in an Era of Insecurity, Fear—and Hope!

In this article, the authors examine the interconnections between the potential roles of music and arts education in people’s lives and social contexts. How can contemporary society act as a democratic learning space for music and other arts in an era of extensive societal challenges? Following an exposition of the Nordic context, the authors delve into learning and education through the lens of transitions in music education, guiding readers from critical pedagogy to counter-critical pedagogy. The discussion addresses the current era, an era marked by insecurity and fear—yet also hope—and examines its implications for citizenship and artistic citizenship education. The concept of artizenship is introduced, wherein artistry and citizenry are viewed as interconnected practices. In conclusion, the authors advocate for a novel educational approach, artizenship education, which underscores the potential of society as a democratic learning space for music and other arts, fostering hope for the future.