Art education in the United States has constantly sought some degree of reinforcement of purpose throughout its history. By closely examining some of the experiences of the past, insights into the validity of a discipline-based approach to art education should emerge. Such knowledge should enlighten the profession, so that rational and valid…

Efforts to renew cultural literacy and reform arts education sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Getty Center for Education in the Arts suggest fundamental changes relating to the scope of art curricula. The single greatest drawback of existing art curricula and the guides that teachers use is the emphasis on skill development…

Seeks to clarify why drawing traditionally holds a central place in the art school program. Outlines what is meant by the Renaissance concept of drawing and how the role of drawing has changed over the centuries. (KM)

Recommends using an activity-based approach to art history similar to that of the "new social studies" movement of the 1960s. Provides suggestions for activities related to art criticism, style, and inductive learning. Concludes that student activities can help integrate art history and studio art in art education programs. (CFR)

Maintains that teachers and artists are alike in that they are communicators, inquirers, required to know themselves, trained to think qualitatively, concerned with technique, and evaluated by their work. Argues that using the model of the teacher as artist is superior to using only technical and quantifiable methods. (CFR)