Art History, Art Criticism, and Art Production

This report summarizes the case reports and cross-site analysis of seven sites selected for a study of visual arts education. The study examines public school programs that try to provide balanced instruction in art criticism, art history, and art production. It describes the basic requirements for art programs and considers the factors crucial for success at three stages of change; describes the art programs at the study sites, and some of the issues identified by the case studies; and addresses the major issues surrounding change to a substantive visual arts program. Among its conclusions, it found that (1) the change to a discipline-based art program requires more than a change in policies and practices — it requires a shift in perspective; (2) art programs will have to be conceived, developed, and maintained as other basic programs are; and (3) programs must have politically adept advocates to generate interest in change.