A Wonderpath Pathway | High School Level

What happens when art becomes dangerous?

From the propaganda of totalitarian regimes to modern-day digital censorship, Art on Trial explores the complex relationship between creativity and control. Across six immersive chapters, students trace the global story of art under pressure: from the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany to Mao’s Cultural Revolution, McCarthy-era America, and today’s digital age.

Through primary sources, critical analysis, and creative reflection, learners uncover how art both shapes and challenges power,  and why the freedom to imagine remains one of humanity’s most radical acts.

Inside the Pathway

Six in-depth chapters include:

1. Art on Trial – The power and peril of expression

2. Art for the People – Regionalism and the WPA

3. Degenerate or Divine – Art and ideology in Nazi Germany

4. Smashing the Old – Mao’s Cultural Revolution

5. Freedom or Fear – McCarthyism and the American arts

6. Echoes Today – Art, power, and censorship now

Each chapter includes historical context, primary source analysis, vocabulary, discussion questions, creative projects, and portfolio-level assessments.

Perfect For

• High school students (grades 9–12)

• Homeschool or classroom integration

• Art history, social studies, or interdisciplinary study

• Project-based learning portfolios

• Students exploring ethics, politics, or media studies