The problem with dropping art history from the curriculum

There has been shock and concern amongst the arts and education world following the axing of Art History from the school curriculum. The government has released a new curriculum list for school students, Years 11 to 13, quietly dropping art history. New subjects include civics, politics, philosophy and music technology in the list that the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, describes as a "future focused curriculum" with industry-led subjects. The changes will be phased in from 2028. Art history will no longer be offered as a standalone subject and the Ministry says it'll be folded into the visual arts and other subjects like classical studies. The president of the New Zealand Arts History Teachers' Association and director of secondary programmes at University of Auckland, Dr Barbara Ormond, speaks to Culture 101.