Author: Smith, Ralph A.

Publication Year:

Media Type: Periodical (article)

Summary:

Abstract:

Written by the editor who originally oversaw publication of the Reviewing Education and the Arts Project (REAP) study in the Fall/Winter 2000 issue of the Journal of Aesthetic Education, this article highlights the problematic nature of conducting research in a relatively new area where several conflicting views lie.

The authors approach is to examine the intrinsic value of arts, that is, the aesthetic experience. He states that art should be studied for the quality of experience that art can afford.

Defending REAPs authors, Smith says that the purpose of the studies was to illustrate that evaluation and assessment in arts education needs improvement. An incidental discovery of the project was the need for better designed studies, for many of the ones examined had to be set aside because of design flaws.

Smith recommends that the field move on with efforts to improve arts education in American schools. As we do so, we should try to be as clear as possible about the values of art that justify the teaching of art in the first place.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education