Seventeen research papers and discussions representing diverse topics concerning research in the arts and presented as part of the 1983 Arts and Learning Special Interest Group (SIG) program of the American Educational Research Association are presented in the first of two volumes. Papers presented are: "Ways to Talk and What to Say: A Study of Art Conversations among Young Children and Adults in Pre-school Settings" (Martha Taunton); "A Response to Taunton's Paper" (Hilda P. Lewis); "The Response of Primary Children to Picture Books" (Barbara Z. Kiefer); "A Response to Kiefer's Paper" (Hilda P. Lewis); "A Response to Research Papers by Kiefer and Taunton" (Kenneth M. Lansing); "The Development of Perspective Drawing Skill" (J. Anne Murphy and Robert J. Bracewell); "A Response to Murphy and Bracewell's Paper" (Brent Wilson); "The Metaphoric Interpretation of Paintings: Effects of the Clustering Strategy and Relaxed Attention Exercises" (Hermine Feinstein); "A Response to Feinstein's Paper" (Brent Wilson); "Changing the Quality of Schooling through Aesthetic Education" (Nanthalia Washington); "Music and Reading/Language Arts: An Exploration of Relationships" (Linda L. Kelley); "A Response to Kelley's Paper" (Majorie Wilson); "Structural Information Retention in Visual Arts Processing" (Judith Smith Koroscik); "A Response to Koroscik's Paper" (Majorie Wilson); "An Analysis of Experimental Measures of Learning in Studies of Visual Arts Viewing Processes" (Barbara Boyer and Judith Koroscik); "Arts Integrated Curriculum for Grades K-6: The Determination of Program Impact" (Jon C. Marshall and Suellyn Garner); and "The Relative Effect of Three Creative Drama Approaches on the Dramatic Behavior and Mental Imagery Ability of Elementary School Children" (Helane S. Rosenberg and Patricia Pinciotti). (LH)