Richard Agbeze, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Richard Agbeze is an artist, educator and scholar from Ghana. Richard's research explores migration, race, belonging, and arts-based research, with particular attention to the experiences and representations of African migrants. By foregrounding lived experiences, Richard’s work explores how art can create space for more nuanced, human-centered understandings of migration and belonging in the classroom and the broader society.

Richard's teaching philosophy centers on the belief that art education should go beyond technical and artistic skill development. I see art as a space for inquiry, creativity, storytelling, and meaning-making. In his classes, Richard encourages students to think critically about images, materials, culture, and the visual world around them while developing their own artistic voice and teaching philosophy. He aims to help future educators create inclusive, culturally responsive, and engaging learning environments where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Education

Ph.D. in Art Education - The Pennsylvania State University - 2026

M.A. in Art Education - Kent State University - 2020

B.A. in Art Education - University of Education, Winneba - 2016

Publications

Agbeze, R. (2025). Becoming Agents of Change: Deconstructing Dis/ability in an Inclusive Art Classroom. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 26(7).

Organizations

International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion (IMISCOE)

National Art Education Association

Pennsylvania Art Education Association

Presentations

Agbeze, R. (2025). From African to Black: An arts-based autoethnography of the experiences of a Black immigrant student. Graduate Research in Art Education. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Agbeze, R. (2024). Teaching Art for Social Justice: A Case Study of a Secondary Art Educator. Pennsylvania Art Education Association Conference, Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Agbeze, R., (2024). Transnational Immigrants and Artistic Identities. Art Education Research Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Agbeze, R. (2023). Decolonizing the Curriculum: A history of art education in Ghana. Mapping International Art Education Histories. New York.

Agbeze, R. (2023). Deconstructing Disability in the Art Classroom. Curriculum & Pedagogy Conference. State College, Pennsylvania.