Education in Art It may seem a curiously topsy-turvy approach
to the problem of appreciation of art that we should seek to educate the public in art in order that there may be more consumers of artistic products ; but if by this means we secure better education it does not much matter how it happens. Thus " Education for the Consumer " is the title of the first Report of the Council for Art and Industry, appointed by Mr. Runciman last year ; it sets Out to show what should be done to cultivate in children at school the faculty for appreciating beautiful objects. Firstly, it is obviously necessary that the teachers them- selves should have some artistic sense; and in secondary schools nothing much can be attempted unless some of the teachers are specialists. " The whole course in Art," it is maintained, " shall aim at enriching the stock of images and itnpressions which the child gathers at school." His surroundings, including the school building, will have their influence, Art ought not to be in a subsidiary position compared with other subjects taught at school, and it ought to be given a more important place as a subject in the School Certificate examination. If all that is asked for is to be carried become of rehool curricula and time-tables will involving much reduction in the time allotted to existing " academic " studies.
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