Research in Visual Arts Education - The National Society for ...

MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION
teachers and teachers of art education. The role of research however is still
at a minimum and it may be argued that it needs to be emphasized more
decisively (Júlíusdóttir, 2003).
Visual arts education and the Icelandic educational system
The National Curriculum Guides for Compulsory and Upper Secondary
School from 1999 was said to have marked a new chapter in the history of
education in Iceland. Curriculum development work was carried out concurrently
for pre-school, compulsory school and upper secondary school.
Compulsory school level covers a period of ten years and The National
Curriculum Guide describes the main emphasis in education of children
and youth of compulsory school age (6–16). Most Icelandic children attend
pre-school for some years before starting compulsory school. Pre-school or
leikskóli which means play-school prepares children for formal schooling
through play and other organized educational activities including much
emphasis on art and music.
It is stated in The National Curriculum Guide (1999) that general education
must offer opportunities for artistic instruction. Studies in the visual
arts and music lay the foundation for creative expression and the ability
to enjoy the arts and culture. Most students begin their upper secondary
school immediately after finishing compulsory school. Students have a
variety of options but to be admitted to a specific programme they must
fulfil the requirement for preparatory study. In grade 9 and 10 students have
the option of choosing electives (up to one-third of their instructional
hours) as direct preparations for artistic study, or other study paths they
intend to follow, or to widen their educational scope and experience before
the specialization of upper secondary school takes over.
Upper secondary school education in Iceland covers 2, 3 or 4 years of
study. It can roughly be divided into vocational and general education that
interestingly is called book learning or theoretical studies. To begin study
in a visual arts programme, the student must have a specific reference grade
in Icelandic and mathematics, and have studied visual arts in compulsory
school or in a special school with satisfactory results in the view of the
accepting school, or demonstrated in another manner that this study is suitable
for her/him (The National Curriculum Guide for Compulsory School
2004, 13). Art learning is a three year programme and its objective is to prepare
students for further study in the arts at a university level or in other
related special schools. In order to be able to pursue other university studies
114 NORDIC VISUAL ARTS EDUCATION IN TRANSITION