93
He recommended a systematic survey of the present state of indigenous arts and crafts, and considered that such a survey should be more closely allied to anthropology than to education.
SIR MICHAEL SADLER expressed the gratitude of the Committee to Professor Rothenstein and Mr. Stevens for their stimulating papers which had appeared in Oversea Education.
In Tropical Africa there were strong signs of natural genius in various branches of art. He suggested that Mr. Mayhew, in consultation with Professor Rothenstein and others, should first of all draw up a short list of English, French and German books (both illustrated and otherwise) which would give information as to particular tribes and areas that called for an early survey to be studied. The International Institute of African Languages and Cultures had already made a beginning in this direction. In studying the question regard should be had not only to the plastic arts, but also to weaving, music and dancing. The natives themselves should be given a deep insight into their great cultural traditions and taught to carry these traditions forward so as to achieve something which the whole world would respect and admire.
He asked if the Committee could recommend to the Secretary of State that a suitable artist student should be sent out to Tropical Africa to make a survey of indigenous art in two or three of these selected regions to show what official encourage- ment was possible, and also encourage an interest therein on the part of unofficial European residents.
LORD LUGARD mentioned that an Arts and Crafts School had been started 25 years ago in Kano purely for the preservation of indigenous art; but had since degenerated into a technical school.
MR. STEVENS argued that before any Arts and Crafts school in Tropical Africa could be successful. a certain amount of research work was necessary.
At present there was not sufficient knowledge about the matter.
MR. OLDHAM Suggested that two or three months would have to be spent in London. Paris, and Berlin exploring the field to find out what action should be taken. The International Institute of African Languages and Cultures would be in a position to help.
MR. MAYHEW said that the Committee would doubtless wish to consider Sir Michael Sadler's proposition with regard to sending out an artist student, but that the question of his status and relation to the Education Department would also have to be con- sidered. He also drew attention to an existing vacancy for an art superintendent in Malaya, and said that the question of status and relationship had arisen in connexion with recruitment for this vacancy.
PROFESSOR ROTHENSTEIN maintained that the present status of such an officer did not allow him to have a proper influence, and did not encourage really first-rate men to apply for such posts. Under the present conditions he would have to deal with Inspectors of Education who might have no knowledge of art.
Under more favourable conditions first-rate men could be found.
MR. HARMAN, in reply to a question by the Chairman, said that from an adminis- trative point of view in respect of actual teaching work it was essential that such a man should be in close touch with the Education Department and also in touch with an Inspector.
MR. ANNETTS said that arts and crafts were being carried on in a village school in Nigeria, of which Mr. Beminster was in charge. He quite agreed that anyone in Mr. Beminster's position would be fully occupied with his ordinary school duties, and that for the wider scope now contemplated a full-time specialist was required. He added that under the present system when a boy went on to a higher school, he ceased to study arts and crafts.
THE CHAIRMAN reminded the Committee that the demand of the natives them- selves for Western education had to be borne in mind. As regards the matters now before the Committee, he suggested that the particular question of the status of the officer for whom a vacancy existed in Malaya should be considered separately from the more important general questions of future policy. The appropriate Departments of the Colonial Office could probably settle the former in consultation with the Governor without a further meeting of the Committee.
SIR WM. GOWERS suggested that the proposed survey could be better carried out with the assistance of administrative officers than with that of the Education Depart-
ment.
MR. STEVENS Considered that the survey appointments should be analagous to that of the Government anthropologist. The officer should have freedom of movement instead of being tied down to any one school or institution.
SIR GEORGE MAXWELL thought there should be no difficulty in having a separate branch of the Education Department, to consist, in the first instance, of the survey officer alone, who should have direct access to the Director of Education. He suggested that this should be done in Malaya.
MR. ELLIS said that if an officer was appointed simply to investigate native art, there was no reason why he should not be under the Chief Secretary; but if he was to have any executive control or power in schools, he must be subordinate to the Director of Education. There did not, however, seem to be any reason why he should report to an inspector. He agreed that a survey of art in the various native com- munities was very desirable, but recorded his own opinion that it was useless for Government to undertake education in art. Government should only concern itself with the practical issues, such as technical training for pupils for particular crafts or professions. Art" should not be subject to any interference from Government officials.
MR. TOMLINSON agreed that is was essential to have a survey of native art as it existed to-day. This must be undertaken by very carefully chosen men. Such men should have a free hand and be given a roving commission. One question to be con- sidered was whether in Professor Rothenstein's opinion such a man could and should afterwards fit into the machinery of the Education Department and translate the results of his survey into a definite policy.
THE CHAIRMAN considered that the preliminary survey officers whom Sir Michael Sadler contemplated would be men of an entirely different status from the people whom it was desired to retain in the Education Departments.
SIR MICHAEL SADLER agreed.
After further discussion it was decided to appoint a Sub-Committee (a) to prepare a short bibliography of indigenous African art and a list of books and illustrations that might be recommended to the Governments for the use of their educational and other services; (b) to consider the desirability of undertaking one or two special surveys of part of the field of indigenous African art, and of giving the investigators freedom and official help in their inquiries and in the preparation of their reports; and (c) to report to the full Committee.
The Sub-Committee was to be composed as follows :—
Sir Michael Sadler.
Sir James Currie.
Mr. Oldham.
Mr. Vischer.
Mr. Mayhew.
Professor Rothenstein, Mr. Stevens and Mr. Ainsworth were to be kept in close touch with the activities of the Sub-Committee.
It was also decided that the question of the status of the Malayan post could be settled by Mr. Tomlinson and Mr. Ellis, with reference to the Malayan Government and in the light of the foregoing discussion; and that they should consult Professor Rothen- stein and Mr. Ainsworth in the matter.
MR. MAYHEW drew attention to the question of the influence of the art and drawing examinations on the general development of art and suggested that this was not a question which could be decided at the end of a meeting, but that an abridged version of Mr. Ainsworth's memorandum might perhaps be sent to the various Directors of Education, with a request for their views.
Mr. Mayhew was asked to prepare a memorandum on these lines which would be sent out to the various colonies; such memorandum to be laid before the Committee at a subsequent meeting.
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 20th November.
94
END
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.