The inaugural issue of this annual journal explores issues affecting art education practices in Alaska and seeks to contribute to a national dialogue on art education policy. "Art as General Education" (Harry S. Broudy) addresses the essential value and nature of the arts in general education. It argues for visual arts education as a key to unlocking students' full potential. Three articles touch on various aspects of discipline based art education (DBAE). "DBAE: Opening a Bridge between Art History and Art Education" (David Ebitz) discusses the need for art historians to seek new working relationships with art educators, and the role art history can and should play in primary and secondary schools. "Improving Art Education in Alaska through Discipline-Based Art Education" (Katherine Schwartz) discusses DBAE implementation methods in relation to Alaska schools. "The Getty Center's Attempt to Transport the Crude and Refine An Alternative Fuel for Art Education" (Maurice J. Sevigny) draws parallels between the Alaska oil spill in Prince William Sound, and the efforts of DBAE proponents to transport crude curriculum theory into refined practice. "Possibilities and Considerations: Quality Art Education in Rural Alaska Schools" (Ruth A. Keitz) explores the problems and possibilities of expanding quality visual arts education in rural Alaska schools. "The Two Desks of Indian Education" (Ward A. Serill) deals with a native community that has rediscovered pride in its cultural past through a blending of business interests and the arts. The final article is a summary of an Alaska Arts in Education report documenting the current state of arts education in Alaska. (DK)