Open Letter: Why Art History Matters

19 September 2025

Hon. Erica Stanford, Minister of Education
Tēnā koe | Dear Minister
[email protected]

Hon. Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Tēnā koe | Dear Minister
[email protected]

Open Letter: Why Art History Matters

We write as representatives of Aotearoa New Zealand’s arts and cultural sector to express our shared concern about the suggested removal of Art History from the New Zealand Secondary School Curriculum.

Art History develops critical 21st-century skills

In a world increasingly dominated by images, Art History provides essential skills. It teaches analytical and critical reasoning, alongside strong written, visual and cultural literacy skills. It also builds awareness that images carry ideas and diverse perspectives.

Art History is an interdisciplinary and knowledge-rich subject that aligns with the stated aims of the current curriculum refresh. Students learn about art and its histories, while gaining deep knowledge and awareness of other cultures, societies, religions, ways of thinking, political movements and history. This builds empathy and a broader understanding of the world and contributes to social cohesion and wellbeing.

Art History offers pathways to future education and careers

Many of our staff studied Art History at secondary school and beyond. There are established pathways from school to tertiary education and employment across the Galleries, Library, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector, and the related fields of creative arts, education, film and TV, publishing and cultural tourism. The skills developed through studying Art History are also highly transferable to fields ranging from law to advertising, architecture to public relations.

Access to Art History at secondary school reveals career pathways that students may not otherwise be aware of or contemplate. This is particularly important for students for whom STEM subjects do not resonate or provide clear future employment opportunities. Art History’s removal further disadvantages Māori and Pacific tauira who are already under-represented in the GLAM sector, and for whom access at secondary school is a key entry point.

Art History and the Visual Arts are different subjects

While it might seem practical to incorporate Art History into visual arts subjects, the two disciplines attract different students and require different specialist teaching expertise. Art History focuses on critical analysis, cultural and historical context, written and visual literacy skills and research. Practical visual arts emphasise creative practice, technique and conceptual thinking. Combining them would significantly reduce the depth and rigour of both subjects, while also reducing the appeal for students who may be drawn to one but not the other.

Art History and the success of New Zealand art on a global stage

Art History plays an important role in articulating and promoting New Zealand’s unique cultural offer locally and internationally. As we build audiences for New Zealand art, it is essential that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge to present and interpret our stories. Art History provides a foundation for understanding the development of Māori, Pacific and Tauiwi artistic practices in both local and global contexts that cannot be taught elsewhere.

The Government’s recently published Amplify: A Creative and Cultural Strategy for New Zealand 2025–2030 identifies nurturing creative talent as a strategic priority. Action 2.1 specifically commits to developing creative education programmes that increase learner exposure to New Zealand’s creative and cultural activities. Removing Art History runs counter to this commitment and undermines goals to grow the arts’ economic contribution, increase public engagement, and expand employment in the sector. Art History supports the Government’s ambition for Aotearoa New Zealand to be as well known for its arts and creativity as it is for its export industries and tourism.

Art History is about our Past, Present and Future

Art History significantly contributes to our own understanding of, and sense of pride in Aotearoa New Zealand, enabling us to walk backwards into the future – ka mua, ka muri – with insight and confidence.

We urge the Government to reconsider the removal of Art History from the Secondary School Curriculum.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Sarah McClintock, Director, Aratoi, Wairarapa Museum of Art and History

Ruth Buchanan, Kaitohu Director, Artspace Aotearoa

Shirin Khosraviani, Director, Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Tom Irvine, Acting Director, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Dr Sarah Farrar, Head of Curatorial and Learning, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Piupiu Maya Turei, Director, Blue Oyster Art Project Space

Blair Jackson, Director, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Charlotte Davy, Director of Art & City Gallery Wellington, Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington

Karl Chitham, Director, Dowse Art Museum

Cam McCracken, Director, Dunedin Public Art Gallery