Agency in art education amid global flows (and woes).

This article focuses on the complex intersections of contemporary social, cultural, economic, and geopolitical issues with art and design education in the twenty-first century. It highlights challenges such as cultural colonization, nationalism, ecological grief, trauma, image-based sexual abuse, and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing how these global "flows" impact educational practices. The contributions collectively advocate for ethical, agentic responses in art education, including trauma-informed pedagogy, moral literacy development, critical curatorial analysis, and feminist and queer approaches, aiming to foster relationality and disrupt dominant systemic paradigms. Case studies and research within the issue explore transnational knowledge flows, ecological grief, AI's role in curriculum design, and sensitive topics like sexuality, illustrating diverse methodologies for engaging with these pressing issues. Overall, the issue invites educators and researchers to reimagine art and design education as a site for ethical responsibility and transformative agency amid global challenges.