Ah Ran Koo

Dr. Ahran Koo is an Associate Professor of Art Education at California State University, Fresno. As an artist and art educator, she promotes the efficacy of art to address cultural and social awareness. Locally and globally, she focuses on community art and critical multiculturalism, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration through social engagement, and advocates culturally responsive/sustaining pedagogy.

Her research and teaching expertise include: community art; visual storying; art-based research; digital narrative; critical multiculturalism; and participatory action research. She has taught art at all levels, K-Higher Education, in USA, South Korea, The Philippines, China, Russia, and Peru. She has also exhibited her artworks including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and installation for twenty years.

Dr. Koo has published and presented her research at numerous national and international conferences such as American Educational Research Association (AERA), National Art Education Association (NAEA), and International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA). She has been awarded grants and scholarships recognizing her community engaged work such as Albert Schweitzer fellowship, Barbara & Sheldon Pinchuk Arts Community Outreach Grant, and Michael B. Salwen Scholarship.

Her professional service includes working as an Executive Committee of Committee on Multiethnic Concerns, and Asian Art and Cultural Interest Group, special interest groups of NAEA, and serving on the review panels and journal editorial boards for AERA, NAEA, and InSEA.

Dr. Koo received PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy from The Ohio State University; MA in Art Education from University of Florida; MFA and BFA in Korean Painting from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea.