Walter Smith (art educator)

Walter Smith (1836-1886) was a British art educator and administrator who played a pivotal role in the development of art education in the United States during the late 19th century. He is considered a key figure in the movement to incorporate industrial drawing and design into public school curricula.

Born in Scotland, Smith received his training at the South Kensington School of Art (later the Royal College of Art) in London. He became an art master in Leeds and later was appointed Director of Art Education for the state of Massachusetts in 1871. This position gave him considerable influence over the direction of art education within the state and, more broadly, across the nation.

Smith advocated for a systematized approach to art education that emphasized drawing as a fundamental skill necessary for both artistic expression and industrial pursuits. He believed that instruction in drawing would not only cultivate aesthetic appreciation but also improve the skills of future workers, contributing to the growth of American industry. His philosophy was heavily influenced by the English design reform movement which emphasized the importance of good design in everyday objects.

His efforts led to the establishment of the Massachusetts Normal Art School (now Massachusetts College of Art and Design) in 1873, the first publicly funded art school in the United States. Smith served as its first principal, further solidifying his impact on the development of art education pedagogy.

He authored several influential textbooks, including "Art Education, Scholastic and Industrial" (1872) and "Teacher's Manual of Freehand Drawing and Designing" (1873). These publications outlined his methods and principles for teaching art and design, promoting a structured approach to learning drawing skills.

Smith's contributions were not without controversy. His emphasis on industrial drawing and standardized curricula drew criticism from some who favored a more individualistic and expressive approach to art education. However, his systematic approach proved influential and helped to standardize art education across the United States during a period of significant industrial expansion. He left Massachusetts in 1883 and died in 1886.