Steering the current in art education in Aotearoa New Zealand

This paper considers the question of 'steering' as it presents a brief overview of some issues in art education in context of two contemporary conditions: one is the specific conditions of New Zealand educational policy and cultural practices; and two, is the context of global governance and broader issues of globalisation that impact upon local sites of practice. Through the paper questions of governance and governmentality are raised as 'the arts' are held up to scrutiny in the terrain of global labour market forces. The arts are seen in the light of the framing of pedagogic subjectivities and national identities.