ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of neoliberalism, its history, impacts, and a possible future to counteract its devastating effects. It provides a brief history of neoliberalism and identifies problems and assumptions of neoliberal capitalism influencing aesthetic and educational hegemony in the 21st century. The chapter draws on the legacy of John Dewey in an urgent call for a progressive revival in education and the arts preparing democratic citizens for an unstable future. In the process of examining both historical and contemporary contexts of education and aesthetic expression, the chapter looks to a future consciousness that moves beyond neoliberal capitalism, racism, militarism, and market-driven materialism. It addresses neoliberal misdirections and misconceptions of art, education, and democracy point-of-view as progressive arts educators. Education must evolve to meet the needs of future artists, scientists, and policy makers. Through aesthetic activities and engagement with issues, a just future in a post-neoliberal world is imaginable.
