Since their establishment in the 1870s, American museums have professed to be educational institutions and have attempted with varying degrees of success to promote aesthetic awareness and visual education. The author reviews past efforts, current issues, and future potentials in museum education. (Author/SJL)

Maintains that visual images of people contribute to how people perceive themselves and others. Explores ramifications of this under social conditions where pornography is evident and accessible. Examines definitions of pornography. Applies critical theory to art education, stressing that art educators should identify and critically study artworks…

Examines seven controversial issues in art education and sets them in a larger social context to help identify their contributions to art education. Concludes that art education should include all art forms from all cultures, develop more interaction between people in theory and practice, and extend the use of social and behavioral sciences. (KM)