Asserts that the idea that intimate knowledge of the arts is crucial to the workings of a healthy society is catching on. Provides a history of American attitudes toward the arts. Summarizes ideas presented in reports by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council. (PRA)

Data gleaned from the 1982, 1985, and 1992 Surveys of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPAs) were used in this analysis of participation in opera and musical theater/operetta. Findings indicate that opera is the least popular of the fine arts, being the least frequented and the least selected as an activity respondents would like to attend more…

This issue os Spectrum contains six articles devoted to the theme of helping teachers develop multicultural teaching methods by examining the relationship of art, culture, and art education. In "Multi-cultural Art: A Learning Process," Linda Kreft addresses the problem of cultural biases that children acquire over time. Patricia Stuhr in…

Recommendations are provided about a new data series that would serve as a measure of the extent and quality of participation of the U.S. population in arts and cultural activities. Eight chapters review and evaluate the state of social statistics and indicators of arts audiences. Chapter 1 defines "indicator,""culture," and…

This serial issue is devoted to examining the artists of Germany, their cultural economy, and their increasing dependence on public agencies for support. The prospects for the up-and-coming generation of artists are examined and the available training institutions, teaching staff, study programs and qualifications for professional prospects and…

Provides a lesson plan for teaching K-three students to analyze and empathize with a portrait by post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. Describes background of the artist and the painting "The Postman Roulin." Suggests instructional strategies, activities, and evaluation methods. Lists bibliographical material relative to van…

New England's college- and university-based arts programs feed both the imagination and the economy. The region has 5% of the nation's population, but awards arts and music degrees to 8% of the nation's graduates, garners 7% of National Endowment for the Arts funding, supports over 1000 commercial arts-oriented businesses, and 10,000 nonprofit…

This practicum was designed to provide K-5 students with diverse cultural experiences through multicultural art education to develop cultural awareness. Community members, parents, museum docents, students, and staff pursued a year-long exploration into the diverse cultures of the world through the study, celebration, and sharing of heritages,…

The nature of today's popular culture, its place in American life, and its merit or lack of it are the themes of these essays from "The New York Times Magazine." Introductory essays discuss the use of leisure time, paying the cost of the arts, and whether American society can be considered "cultured." Subsequent essays discuss the nature of radio…

Uses E. D. Hirsch's concepts of art, culture, and multiculturalism to rethink the philosophy and practice of arts education. Analyzes culture and multiculturalism and suggests that music education be conceived in multicultural terms. Disputing Hirsch's cultural uniformity, maintains that music educators should preserve the integrity of music…

Describes a game designed to motivate students to conduct art historical research. Required students to find artists who created art in four different ways, realistically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Students chose ways to take collected data and work cooperatively to create a mural. (KM)

This report examined media audiences for the arts using data gathered in the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPA) covering approximately 18,000 U.S. adults in 1982 and 16,000 adults in 1985. The SPA questionnaire covers the use of television, radio, and recordings as a means to participate in seven particular arts activities, which…

Described are the results of two separate surveys of cross-sections of the Philadelphia public concerning their cultural behavior, attitudes, and perceptions. The more recent survey was conducted in 1984 with a random telephone sample of 404 Philadelphia residents. The other survey consisted of a subset of approximately 400 Philadelphia area…

This presentation has a four-fold purpose: (1) to highlight the importance of the arts in New York City; (2) to mention the major problem areas facing cultural institutions today; (3) to examine the contribution to New York City cultural institutions made by Federal, State, and local agencies; and (4) to suggest a strategy that has been developed…