| Purpose of the study. The purpose of this study was to investigate stakeholders' perceptions of the value and importance of art education and its policy in Saudi Arabia. The study focused on: (a) the adequacy of policies and programs; (b) the need for change in art education programs and practices (what should be taught, when, to whom, how well, and who should teach art in public schools; (c) the adequacy of supports (facilities, physical, human and financial resources, and supplies).;Procedure. The data were obtained from (1) formal interviews with stakeholders of art education policy in Saudi Arabia (i.e., policymakers at the Ministry of Education, superintendents, art supervisors, art teachers, and school principals); (2) the national education policy document, art education policy document, and two reports on art education implementation and practices prepared by art supervisors in 1979 and 1986; (3) audit check survey questionnaires distributed to all groups who participated in the interviews.;The data were primarily analyzed in a quantitative format, and were qualitatively compared and discussed according to the issues raised as a result of the interview findings.;Results of the study. Based on these findings, the value and importance of art education and its policy were duly recognized. The policy appeared not to be the problem; the problems were ascribed to the inadequacy of the means of implementation, execution, and practice. The shortcoming of these aspects appeared in: (1) the insufficiency of the curriculum for art education in public schools, due to its poor content; (2) the inappropriateness of art teacher education, due to the lack of substance of the curriculum and the short duration of study; (3) lesser considerations taken by the Educational Development Center for developing art education; (4) the insufficiency of support (i.e., art references, physical, human and financial resources; (5) the incapability of the school system to support art education (i.e., space, time, scheduling, and supplies); (6) the public attitude toward art being an insignificant field of study.;These results should help policymakers identify the most productive approaches for making changes in art education programs. |
