Call For More Emphasis On Art In Secondary Schools

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31027, 5 April 1966, Page 18

Call For More Emphasis On Art In Secondary Schools

A strong plea for a greater emphasis on art in New Zealand education was made last evening by Professor H. J. Simpson, professor of fine arts at the University of Canterbury. Professor Simpson was giving an illustrated public lecture on the nature and value of creative experience, which had been arranged by the Canterbury Association for Mental Health.

“Education in art in this country is firing on one cylinder at the moment,” Professor Simpson said. “Art is not taught at all to four-fifths of New Zealand’s secondary school pupils.” Professor Simpson said he was not advocating a study of art aimed to produce good artists, but as an essential part of a general education. “Art is a way of discovering the world,” he said. “’lt is at the base of our daily life. An understanding of the forces behind the shapes we constantly use is essential to a complete education, “Our younger children have the opportunity for normal experience in art in kindergarten and play centres; even in the primary school some very good work is being done. It

is in the secondary schools that a complete failure occurs. There are some very good teachers there, but they do not have the chance to do the job they are capable of.

“In the third form about two periods a week are devoted to art—which can be anything from woodwork to needlework. As School Certificate approaches in the fourth form, art is reserved only for those who couldn’t handle metal work the year before.

“Art becomes a little more popular again in the fifth form year, as many pupils rely on it as being easier to get marks in than mathematics. After that it almost disappears altogether.” Professor Simpson said that art was the process of discovering reality; it was also a means of self-discovery. Art began where all other means of communication left off.

“I am going to be careful not to become involved in a discussion on ‘a sick society,’” Professor Simpson said, “but through a greater knowledge of art our society could be so much better. “I agree with Herbert Read when he says that civilisation has largely lost its sense of form. He speaks of a ‘disproportion of function’ and says that something is wrong with society. In a world of hatred and destruction, even war has lost its spontaneity. We have lost the capacity for the enjoyment of formal values.

“We are all bqrn with an intuitive universal feeling for rightness of form. This tiny seed can grow into a wonderful thing capable of bearing wonderful fruit—-but only with careful nurture. It can easily die, or be stamped out. “This is what is happening today. The countless revolutions which are taking place are denying man the chance to enjoy a normal development.

“Creativity denied could become a destructive force,” Professor Simpson concluded.