MODERN TRENDS IN ARTS EDUCATION IN CHINA

The article analyzes the current problems in the field of art education and culture in China. The study shows that many Chinese schoolchildren demonstrate a low level of understanding of art, since art education is not a priority area within the modern Chinese education system. The key reason for this is the orientation of the education system towards preparation for large-scale state exams, which leads to a decrease in attention to the development of students’ creative abilities and critical thinking. In addition, the article considers the historical and cultural context associated with the constant influence of state ideology on the artistic community in China. Despite the abandonment of the harsh repressive measures of the Cultural Revolution era, the authorities continue to expect artists to ensure that their creativity primarily serves the interests of the state and the party, rather than free self-expression. To overcome the identified problems, the authors propose the implementation of comprehensive reforms aimed at increasing the role of art education in schools, strengthening its connection with the general cultural development of the individual, as well as expanding the creative freedom of artists and their distancing from direct political influence.