Ana Mae Barbosa receives Honorary Doctorate

Ana Mae Barbosa receives title from Argentine university

This Saturday, in São Paulo, the pioneer of art education in Brazil receives the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the Universidad Nacional de Las Artes, in Argentina
A dream, a hope and the certainty that art education transforms social reality. It is with this conviction that Ana Mae Barbosa remains firm and, since the mid-1950s, has been fighting for teaching the arts as a priority in education. At 87 years old, the professor at USP's School of Communications and Arts (ECA) continues to follow her pioneering and recognized path throughout the country. This Saturday, the 2nd, at 4:30 pm, Ana Mae will receive the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from National University of Las Arts, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The tribute will be at the Institute of Arts at Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, in São Paulo.

“Art is very important for the development of children and young people, because it stimulates perception in all areas of knowledge”, reaffirms Ana Mae. “I don’t know if we teach art. Or if we contaminate it with art.”

What is certain is that educators recognize and honor the pioneering spirit of the teacher, who has already received several honors. In May 2022, she was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus of the ECA. And, last month, she received the Yêdamaria Award from the Brazilian Academy of Art Critics, aimed at institutions and scholars that implement actions that work in favor of art.

Ana Mae was born in Rio de Janeiro on July 17, 1936, but grew up in Recife (PE), where she studied Law at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFP). She did not pursue the profession. But she learned to defend one of the most difficult causes there is, that of art education. As a student of Paulo Freire, she began her fight for teaching through art.

Ana Mae arrived at the ECA Department of Plastic Arts in 1974, bringing the research in art education that she developed during her master's degree at Yale University, in Connecticut, in the United States. In 1978, she completed her doctorate at Boston University and arrived in Brazil as the first specialist to implement art education. As director of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) at USP, from 1987 to 1993, Ana Mae opened new directions for the institution. She created theoretical courses in art history, collections and interdisciplinary courses. Given this experience and also the results of the Nascente Project at USP, which she helped to establish in 1990, the professor believes that the arts have a lot to contribute to the relevance and innovation of universities. For half a century, Ana Mae has shared her struggle and wisdom with hundreds of masters, doctors, artists and educators who face the dreams and challenges of her legacy throughout Brazil.