Curriculum in the arts

Arts curricula are shaped by social and ideological forces within and beyond schools and cultural institutions. Broad historical shifts in attitudes toward children, the arts, and education recommend attention to differing aspects of the complex and changing character of the arts. These circumstances frequently determine where curricular emphasis is placed: on direct experience of creation or performance or cultivation of knowledge and appreciation, on fine arts exemplars or vernacular practices, and on forms or meanings. Although education in each art form has its distinctive history, goals, and pedagogies, this article emphasizes common aspirations and challenges across the arts disciplines.