Art History in the Art and Design Curriculum

The National Curriculum requires that pupils be taught about periods, styles and major movements from ancient times to the present day, but is the universal chronological survey implied by these words either practicable or desirable? Conversely, although teachers of Art and Design invariably make contextualising reference to the work of others when introducing a project, and students are encouraged to make such links in researching and developing their own ideas, this piecemeal approach can seem partial and contingent, lacking cumulative sufficiency. This chapter shows how art historical understanding can be central to the Art and Design curriculum by providing for trainee Art and Design teachers a structured conceptual framework integrated with practical activities that is inclusive and pluralistic, and that grounds the scope and depth of the subject, linking history with future possibilities.