An overview is provided of the history and current status of arts education in community colleges in Iowa and across the nation. After a brief history of art programs in higher education, the paper reviews research on course offerings, enrollment trends, student characteristics, and the role of the colleges as community cultural centers. Highlighted findings include the following: (1) a 1988 national study revealed that 80% of American community colleges offered studio art, and approximately 66% indicated that enrollments were increasing; (2) painting, drawing, and design courses replaced art appreciation as the most frequently offered courses; (3) the visual arts accounted for 43% of the entire arts enrollment; (4) in comparison to community college students as a whole, arts students were typically younger, more likely to transfer to a four-year institution, and more likely to speak positively about their college experience; (5) about 4% of the average community college's enrollment each term was in the arts; and (6) one in every six students took at least one art class during his/her college career. Next, the paper discusses some of the reasons for and consequences of art education's failure to establish itself securely in higher education and reviews criticisms that have been raised. After discussing the importance of art in developing the "whole" person, the paper discusses ways of strengthening the arts, including the development of interdisciplinary courses, community art education programs, and associate degrees in art. Summary data from a nationwide study of art education and a study of art programs in Iowa are appended. (VVC)