Ministry wants art to have higher profile at China’s universities

China’s government has asked the country’s universities to give art education a more prominent role in tertiary courses and student assessments.

According to Chinese media reports, the education ministry has introduced changes that will require tertiary students to “obtain mandatory art credits” before graduating.

The People’s Daily and Xinhua News have reported that the ministry has issued guidance directing universities to “set up management institutions for popularising art education” and to include art courses and practices in their teaching programmes.