University Art Curriculums and the Discipline-Based Art Education Movement in the United States

Abstract

Although art has been a part of the curriculum at most universities for over thirty-five years, it is still not part of the mainstream of the university education in the United States. Artists often find themselves isolated from their colleagues in other departments and divided among themselves. Within art departments, curricular isolation is common, and minimum interaction occurs among the various studios and art history, art education, and art theory/criticism. The curriculum focuses primarily on traditional studio disciplines such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, metalsmithing, and the new communication support areas. Art history and art theory/criticism are seen (at least, by studio faculty) as support areas. Art education exists in an ambiguous middle ground. Any curricular integration or continuity involving these various aspects of the visual arts is usually coincidental or a by-product of shared concerns between two/three areas of art department faculty members.