International Journal of Education & the Arts

Citation: Nicholson, G. (2026). Beyond measure: Mastery, identity, and creativity in adult arts education. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 27(8). http://doi.org/10.26209/ijea27n8

This article explores the role of adult creative arts education in shaping mastery, identity, and creativity. Drawing from the work of the Pitmen Painters and educational theorists such as Elliot Eisner, Jal Mehta, and John Dewey, the small-scale study investigates the practices of seven tutors working in adult community learning in Northeast England. Findings reveal that mastery involves continuous refinement through creative exploration, identity formation is deeply connected to personal and cultural narratives, and creativity thrives when learners are empowered to take risks and innovate. The article counters the dominance of standardization in education by instead exploring the immeasurable aspects of creative arts learning that are critical to fostering agency and self-expression.