International Journal of Education & the Arts

Citation: Cruywagen, S., Sutela, K., Jaako, J., Ylönen, S. C., Stolp, E., Espag, D., Ervasti, M., Salminen, S., Manenye, M. G., Nataka, G. M. (2025). Teaching the arts in higher education: Teaching philosophies from Finland and South Africa. A collaborative autoethnography. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 26(13). http://doi.org/10.26209/ijea26n13

This article documents the collaborative effort of a group of tertiary arts educators from Finland and South Africa. The methodological starting point of this study is collaborative autoethnography, as it focuses on our shared experiences and narratives. The data comprises our personal narratives, in which we highlight unique aspects of our teaching philosophies. Theoretical premises include concepts of compassion and caring. The results suggest that our teaching philosophies emphasize the creation of a positive learning environment, facilitated by embracing student diversity, making informed pedagogical choices, understanding learning methods, and demonstrating emotional awareness. Our narratives also include insights from the authors’ reflections on our students’ life experiences, shedding light on their diverse skills, self-awareness, and critical thought. Optimal learning, as the findings suggest, depends on emotional support, active participation, fostering a sense of collaborative belonging, and integrated learning.