History of art education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1873-1973 /

Abstract

Much of the credit for the development of education in the arts can be contributed to the efforts of John Howard and to a member of top school leaders with unusual interests and abilities in art.

The art programs initiated by UAPB have been instrumental in the development of community art activities and facilities in Arkansas and in the growth of art education in the Arkansas Public Schools. Significant additional contributions are being made at the National and international levels by art students from UAPB.

It was found that the development of art education at UAPB was hampered by many of the factors that affected the development of art education, generally and those factors that hampered the development of education for Blacks, particularly. In addition, the impact of the Booker T. Washington educational philosophy for Blacks was found to be a factor.

This study, using traditional historical research methodology, was conducted primarily to answer four questions regarding the development of art education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, during the time it was a separate, predominately Black institution of higher education. The questions were: (1) What were the critical events in the development of education in the arts? (2) Who were the key persons in this development and what were their contributions? (3) What has been the impact of education in the arts on the State of Arkansas, the United States and the world? (4) What have been some of the contributions and achievements of outstanding students of education in the arts?

Recommendations for additional study were made, including studying the impact of UAPB before 1973, on UAPB after 1973 in regard to art education and completing a comparative study of the development of art education at UAPB and UAF (Fayetteville).