[[alternative]]Theories and Practice of Children's Education Program in Art Museum

[[abstract]]Children are the base of art appreciation population that art museums are eager to cultivate. Developing art education should begin on them. However, learning characteristics of children differ from that of adults. Art museums have to design appropriate educational contents for children according to their needs. The purposes of this study are to better understand the following questions. 1.What are the theories of children education applied in art museums? 2.What are the elements of children's education activities in art museums? 3.What are the categories of children's education activities in art museums? 4.What is the current situation about children's education contents developed in domestic art museums? 5.What are the differences about children's education activities between domestic and foreign art museums? To answer these questions, this study adopts two methods, literature analysis and individual study. The researcher collected and analysized literature about children's education activities developed in domestic and foreign art museums. While doing individual study, the researcher interviewed and observed members of education departments in five domestic art museums. She also questionnaired and e-mailed to several art museums overseas to gain a overview for comparing the distinctions of children's educational activities between domestic and foreign art museums. Results of this study conclude that art museums should construct a network with children, family, school, and community in order to effectively scheme and promote children's education activities. There are sevaral points needed to be recognized while constructing and strengthening this networking. 1.Art museums this themselves-Art museums should develop more completed educational policles. 2.Art museum and children-Art museums need to recognize more profoundly about demands of young learners. 3.Art museum and family-Art museums ought to strengthen their relationship with family and stimulate mutual learning between parents and children. 4.Art museum and schools-Art museums may assist schools to develop art education programs. 5.Art museum and community-Art museums have to better make use of community resources in order to effectively promote art education. Following these conclusions, several suggestions are wortn to be taken by related institutions as references.