Learn with Pre-Texts is a project of the Cultural Agents initiative, which originated at Harvard University. It promotes an innovative pedagogy based on a simple principle: using complex texts as raw material to create art. With the simple prompt “use this text to make art,” students read, interpret, and produce artistic works (painting, music, theater, writing, etc.), simultaneously developing reading comprehension, critical thinking, creativity, and active citizenship. The method, designed to work at any educational level and in any socioeconomic context, has been implemented in dozens of countries—from Colombia to India, and from South Africa to Italy—and has been shown to improve literacy, reduce depression, and foster collaboration.
