Why Cutting Art History from the Curriculum is a Mistake for New Zealand

The New Zealand Government’s proposal to remove Art History from the education curriculum deeply troubles me. This decision will not only reduce the richness of our humanities education but also diminish our ability as a nation to contribute meaningfully to the global arts conversation.

I speak from lived experience. My early education was, frankly, uninspiring. Nothing lit me up until I encountered Art History. That subject unlocked a passion that shaped my entire life and career. Today I work as a Graphic Designer, a profession directly born from my love of the arts. I also sing jazz on the national stage, drawing from a deep knowledge of cultural music history and the American Songbook tradition. Alongside this, I exhibit abstract artworks nationwide, many of which reference historic art pieces fundamental to our shared cultural story. None of this would have been possible without the foundation that Art History provided me.

Art History is more than memorising names and dates. It teaches us how cultures speak across time, how ideas evolve, and how creativity reflects – and shapes – society. It is a discipline that fosters critical thinking, empathy, and cultural literacy. Removing it risks encouraging a less dimensional, less informed, and more culturally impoverished generation.

Some argue that Art History can simply be absorbed into wider visual arts subjects. But this approach misses the point. Not all students will take visual arts, meaning many who might have discovered a lifelong passion for Art History will never encounter it. For me, it was the standalone subject that changed everything – and I know I’m not alone.

As a nation, we pride ourselves on creativity and innovation. Our artists, musicians, writers, and designers contribute to New Zealand’s international identity and influence. To remove Art History is to weaken the very roots from which that creativity grows.
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I urge the Government to reconsider. Preserving Art History in our schools is not about nostalgia, it is about investing in a richer, more humane, and more culturally aware future for New Zealand.

​If you share my concern, I urge you to act. Write to your local MP, contact the Minister of Education, and make your voice heard. Share this post, talk to friends and colleagues, and raise awareness about what is at stake. Art History is not a luxury – it is a vital part of how we understand ourselves and our place in the world. Together, we can ensure it remains part of New Zealand’s future.

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My personal story reflects the transformative impact of Art History. I experienced a fairly ordinary and uninspiring education until Art History was offered. That subject lit a spark in me which has shaped my entire life. The enrichment it provided has been fundamental to my success. I now work as a Graphic Designer directly because of my love of the Arts. I am also a jazz singer with a deep knowledge of music history, and an exhibiting artist with many shows to my name, using unique systems and processes that grew out of my grounding in Art History.

Absorbing the subject into other visual arts programmes will render Art History inaccessible to many students, as those who do not choose visual arts would otherwise miss it entirely.

The Value of New Zealand Art History Knowledge on the World Stage
Why it Matters

• The arts and creative sector contributes NZ$17.5 billion (4.2% of GDP, 2024).
• Creative exports are worth NZ$3.6 billion (2023).
• Māori and Pacific art history is gaining major global recognition, such as the Mataaho Collective’s Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale.
• Institutions like Te Papa amplify New Zealand’s art history through international loans, touring exhibitions and digital collections.

Projected Value

• Baseline: NZ$17.5B sector contribution + NZ$3.6B exports.
• Conservative 5-year scenario: 5–15% uplift in export value through stronger art-history programmes = NZ$180M–540M additional export value.
• Ambitious 2030 scenario: sector contribution grows to NZ$20–22B with art-history knowledge at the centre of international programming.

Intangible Returns

• Soft power: cultural diplomacy and influence.
• Education and research: global fellowships and collaborations.
• Cultural tourism: higher visitor spend through stronger storytelling.
• Creative industries: design, film, publishing and fashion inspired by art history.

Pathways to Growth

• Digitise and publish scholarship – bilingual catalogues, images and essays.
• International touring exhibitions – major shows and micro-tours.
• Residencies and research chairs – embed NZ art history in global universities.
• Cultural IP licensing – provide curated content for publishing and media.
• Cultural diplomacy – exhibitions and pop-ups at embassies and festivals.
• Impact measurement – track export revenue, loans, citations and visitor spend.

Forecast
With strategic investment, New Zealand can expect measurable export and GDP uplifts in the hundreds of millions of NZD within 3–5 years, and potential billion-dollar scale effects by 2030. The nation will also gain significant global influence, stronger cultural partnerships and deeper recognition of mātauranga Māori and Pacific histories.