Presented are four possible content bases for art programs, with an expanded discussion of one of them--the anthropological base, which is described as the study of artistic origins. (KC)

Throughout European history, artists have celebrated the values of their patrons. Today, the schools are the largest employer of artists. To justify art education according to current Back-to-Basics values, art teachers should explain visual art as a language, which they can teach students to read and use. (SJL)