The arts are important, not only because they provide insights into significant human ideas and values, but also because of their capacity to generate experiences that should be part of a full and rewarding life. This book considers: (1) the ideal of excellence; (2) excellence in art; (3) excellence in art education; (4) elitism; and (5)…

The major issue in the elitist-populist controversy is what art works should be included in the curricula. Elitists defend the choice of exemplary art pieces as instructional materials; populists find this advocacy of exemplars intolerably restrictive. The three major arguments embedded in the populist position are critiqued. (RM)