Just as all perceptions are of figures differentiated from a larger background, a play takes place against the background of the audience's knowledge and feelings. While audience members generally bring to a performance a large body of background information--they evaluate the storyline, for example, using a lifetime of personal experience--at…

Presents responses to the policy recommendations issued by the National Endowment for the Arts in "Toward Civilization: A Report on Arts Education." Samuel Hope places this report in an historical context, Kevin Mulcahy points out the dangers of viewing art education as a pedagogical frill, and James Hutchens addresses issues of…

Defines liberal education as liberation from prejudice through depth of inquiry and a cultural nurturing through breadth of experience in history and literature. Discusses the inherent tension between the democratic polity and the liberal arts institution where all opinions cannot be equal. Sees better citizens emerging from a liberal education.…

Although music education's quality is outstanding, it faces serious problems that teachers and administrators should work to rectify by clearly stating goals and claims, adopting student achievement standards, and avoiding emphasizing music as entertainment--if something essential to civilization is to survive. (KS)

Suggests an alternative approach for a popular culture course--an exploration of the culture of the students' parents, or "unpopular" culture. Possible activities for a unit include: interviews (on entertainment preferences, for example), observations (dress codes for social gatherings, parental food and drink habits, etc.), or an attic…

Evaluates the state of art education in light of the National Endowment for the Arts Report, "Toward Civilization." Cites rationale for arts education and makes recommendations for accomplishing the Report's programs. Suggestions include a sequential curriculum, comprehensive testing, improved data gathering; recruitment of outstanding…

Maintains that music educators have struggled for decades with issues related to a "multimusical culture." Contends that balancing the musical traditions of Western civilization and honoring the varieties of music of cultural subgroups is a major issue in contemporary music education. (CFR)

Asserts that the self-actualizing and expressive nature of dance contributes to an intuitive sense of morality. Criticizes the body versus mind dualism and antibody bias implicit in the Western intellectual tradition. Contrasts the aggressive nature of sports with the expressive character of dance. (MJP)

Celebrates 30 years of programs and projects funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Profiles 11 funded projects from the 1960s through the 1990s. These include the Talking about Books program, Center for the Study of Southern Culture, Ken Burns's documentaries, and The Library of America. (MJP)

Presents an impassioned and cogent plea for supporting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Corrects and answers many of the misconceptions concerning the NEH and effectively refutes the most repeated criticisms. Briefly describes some of the NEH's most popular and successful projects. (MJP)

Recreates a lively, informal discussion about art between three high school students and an art education professor. The students discuss their backgrounds, experiences creating art, and art preferences. Includes added commentary by the professor. (MJP)

Encapsulates a series of verbatim statements made by young musicians about the joy music has brought to their lives. The musicians, all students at Black Mountain Middle School in San Diego, California, exhibit a wide range of responses discussing their commitment, hard work, and sense of accomplishment. (MJP)

Contends that an integrated curriculum approach increases student motivation and makes learning easier because lessons have wider applications. Suggests that discipline-based art education promotes an interdisciplinary approach, particularly with social studies and language arts. Provides an example of an instructional unit combining social…

Discusses two related dilemmas: (1) the tension between the Western view of historical progress and the realities of modern society; and (2) the tension between old and new approaches to teaching and learning about the arts. Argues that the end result of implementing the Goals 2000 program might diminish the teaching of the arts as discrete…

Maintains that educational theorists have long advocated integrated, multidisciplinary curriculum development and instruction. Argues that the arts must maintain their integrity in the curriculum and be taught for their own sake, rather than serving as aids to instruction in other disciplines. (CFR)