Art history being scrapped as a school subject w/ NZAHTA President, Dr Barbara Ormond: 19th September, 2025

Last week, the government released the new curriculum subjects for students in years 11-13. New subjects such as politics, civics, philosophy, music technology, and media, journalism, and communications were included, but art history as a standalone subject has been quietly dropped – now to be incorporated into design, painting, photography and creative arts subjects.

The move has been widely criticised by art historians, academics, and past students, calling the decision both ‘devastating’ and ‘unsurprising’.

Sof spoke to the President of the New Zealand Art History Teachers Association, Dr Barbara Ormond, about the decision and the potential impact it will have on teaching the subject, both at the secondary and tertiary levels.