The Ministry of Education of the land (regional level) is responsible for setting the specified aims for the cultural and creative dimensions of education. The ministry decides also about the creation and the implementation of the arts curriculum. The arts curriculum at ISCED levels 1 and 2 (age group: 6-15/16) is organised as separate subjects. The following separate arts subjects are included in the curriculum: (1) Visual arts "Bildende Kunst" or "Kunst" or "Kunsterziehung"; (2) Music "Musik"; (3) Drama "Darstellendes Spiel" or "Darstellen und Gestalten"; (4) Dance "Tanz"; (5) Crafts as textile arts "Textiles Gestalten" or "Textilgestaltung." At ISCED level 3, pupils must choose one subject of the linguistic-artistic field of instruction. So it is a sort of integrated approach. This paper contains the following sections: (1) Responsibility and purpose; (2) Organisation and aims of arts education; (3) Special provision with a focus on art education; (4) Assessment of pupils' progress and monitoring of standards in the arts; (5) Teacher education in the arts; (6) Initiatives; (7) Ongoing reforms and proposals; and (8) Existing national surveys and reports on practices. (Contains 2 footnotes.)