Museum family programmes as a model to develop democratic education: A pedagogy inspired by the principles of Cha-no-yu

In response to the lack of studies on art-museum family programmes despite their popularity, I have been developing pedagogy based on the four principles of the art of tea in Japan, cha-no-yu – harmony, respect, purity and tranquility – and conducting museum family programmes as an educator and researcher. Museum family programmes should provide art-appreciation and art-creation components including individual, family and group activities in a gentle, respectful and reflective atmosphere so that participants can construct their art experiences by utilizing multiple senses. The goals of family programmes are to provide meaningful and enjoyable art experiences that enable participants to learn about art, others and themselves interpersonally and personally and to enhance democratic education through dialogues within the family by emphasizing the transfer of learning from participants’ experiences in the programmes to those in their daily lives. This pedagogical model can promote education within the family and any form of democratic education.