Lucas Green
Visual arts education refers to the field of learning that relates to the type of artwork one can find, whether it is art paintings, sculptures, drawing, painting, printmaking, woodcraft, fabrics, and furniture. The visual arts also include visual culture, the shared practices and politics of the visual arts communities. This field includes a variety of different concentrations including television, film, photography, motion picture, video, installation, performance, and art online. Art degrees are available at all levels and have a great deal of flexibility in which direction they take.
The National Arts Association, an international organization dedicated to the promotion of arts, teaches arts in schools through membership in its organization. elementary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, and colleges are part of the association. Through its network of over 900 local affiliates, the national organization has come to be the largest network of arts organizations in the U.S. In addition to the affiliation to national and state arts programs, the association also works with local community arts organizations, youth, and parents in improving arts education and promoting visual arts awareness.
Arts curriculum is often developed by local arts administrators in schools in collaboration with other school administrators and teachers. Curriculum recommendations are given to the community through the National Arts Education Association, national and state arts boards, other teachers and professional organizations. The curriculum developed by school districts and various schools may differ somewhat from the national association’s curriculum. Several states, like Montana and Oregon, have cooperative arts policies that require the implementation of a curriculum developed and recommended by the state arts agencies.
