Introduction

This Collection of fourteen essays by eleven different authors demonstrates the increasing breadth of enquiry that has taken place in art and design education history over the past two decades, and the expanding range of research models applied to the subject.

The essays are grouped into six sections that propose the emergence of genres of research in the field - Drawing from examples, Motives and rationales for public art and design education in Britain, Features of institutional art and design education, Towards art and design education as a profession, Pivotal figures in the history of art and design education, and British/European influence in art and design education abroad.

The rich diversity of subject matter covered by the essays is contained broadly within the period 1800 to the middle decades of the twentieth century.

The book sets out to fill a gap in the current international literature on the subject by bringing together recent research on predominantly British art and design education and its influence abroad.

It will be of specific interest to all those involved in art, design, and art and design education, but will equally find an audience in the wider field of social history.