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Art is not a subject in the academic sense, writes Michael Craig-Martin – but that is precisely its strength. As fewer schools teach art, the “true alternative” it presents for educators seeking to instil self-discipline, adaptability and a sense of responsibility in their students is being placed at risk.

'I believe that the principles underlying art education are generally misunderstood, and that it represents an untapped resource and potential model for educational programmes.
Because academic education is so completely dominant, and because most people’s personal experiences of education consist solely of academic education, it is widely assumed that this is what we mean by true education. From this standpoint art education is widely regarded as marginal, indulgent, “easy”, not properly serious. This is why it is often relegated to the periphery of educational programmes or, as we often find today, eliminated from the curriculum entirely.' ... Keep reading on Royal Academy