APPROACHING CULTURAL HERITAGE REVITALIZATION THROUGH THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY IN VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION

Visual arts education serves as a dynamic platform for raising awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage by fostering a deeper understanding of the past and encouraging creative expression in revitalization efforts. Sustainable revitalization of cultural heritage represents a holistic approach considering heritage preservation’s environmental, social, and economic dimensions. By integrating sustainable practices into cultural heritage revitalization, we ensure the continued existence and creation of new values while preserving the planet and its resources for future generations. Sustainable revitalization practices reduce negative ecological impacts through environmentally friendly materials and ensure the long-term survival of cultural landscapes by controlling visitor numbers to protect the cultural and natural integrity of the site. Economic sustainability of cultural heritage sites is achieved through repurposing their original roles, with the choice of revitalization methods depending on the site’s condition, significance, and national cultural policies. Education and awareness of the importance of cultural heritage include educating students and local communities about the site’s significance, its history, and the importance of sustainable revitalization practices for long-term preservation. This research explores the potential of visual arts education in raising awareness about sustainable practices in cultural heritage preservation. The objectives of the study are: (1) to investigate how visual arts education can raise awareness of sustainable practices and the value of cultural heritage revitalization, (2) to analyze the integration of sustainable development principles in the Visual Arts Curriculum in the context of cultural heritage revitalization, and (3) to explore how the issue of cultural heritage revitalization can contribute to the pillars of sustainability by connecting with the cross-curricular theme of Sustainable Development. Through qualitative content analysis, the research reveals that the Croatian Visual Arts Curriculum partially addresses sustainability challenges in cultural heritage through revitalization. However, it highlights the lack of detailed methodological guidelines for effective implementation.