Arts Education and Theatre Pedagogy as a Tool for Education in the 21st Century. Polish case study

The article focuses on arts education and theatre pedagogy in the Polish educational context. Looking for the various methods of education suited to the 21st century, education in the field of art arouses an increasing interest. 21st century requires such skills as: critical and creative thinking, communication, cooperation, social skills, active participation, empathy etc. Art can shape these features and creates attitude of openness to another man, so education in the field of art should be the best element completing the formal education. The article shows two important concepts connected with education in the field of art in Poland at the beginning of the 21st century: arts education and theatre pedagogy. This article presents two artistic and educational projects, which were realised by students of Art and Media Education at University of Warsaw. In each of these projects were used themethods of arts education and theatre pedagogy in the cooperation with concrete external environment. During the first project: Tunnel raised to the third power, students from University worked with students of Academy of Fine Arts. During the second project: Manifesto/Body students realised the project with cooperation with High School in Warsaw. Discourse in 21st century education is focused on student’s capacities to develop the skills to remain open and sensitive to their world. Learning how to be innovative, open minded, creative and imaginative is essential in a learning culture. Description of these projects allows you to see what are the ways of using the methods of arts education and theatre pedagogy in the field of modern education in Poland.