The International Society for Education through Art (InSEA) was founded in 1954. The mission of InSEA remains today, as it was then, commitment to a belief that education through art is a means of individual learning that fosters the values and disciplines essential to living. InSEA seeks, on a worldwide basis, to share experiences, improve practices and strengthen the position of art in relation to all of education and the cultural life of communities.

At UNESCO's first and second general conferences, held in 1946 and 1947, resolutions were adopted to inquire into art education. In 1948, Sir Herbert Read from the United Kingdom was appointed as chairman of a "Committee of Experts" to look into this matter. This small group comprised Thomas Munro and Dr. Edwin Ziegfeld from the USA; the Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály; two government education inspectors, George Favre from France and Edward O'Dickey from the UK, a Professor of Philosophy from the Sorbonne, M. Bayer; two aestheticians, Professors Souriau and Lalo; and Mme. Langevin, an art teacher from France.

From these beginnings followed the 1951 UNESCO art education seminar, held in Bristol, England, at which some twenty countries were represented. The delegates included a significant number of people who continued to take leadership roles in InSEA as the organization developed. For example, Dr. Edwin Ziegfeld from the USA became the first president of the Society. Charles Dudley Gaitskell directed the seminar and he subsequently became the first president of the Canadian Society for Education through Art. There is no doubt that at the time, the seminar was seen as a significant event. Ziegfeld wrote a few years later, "the effects of this seminar will leave an indelible mark on our future."

InSEA formally came into being with the adoption of its constitution at the First General Assembly held in Paris in July 1954. Sir Herbert Read opened the meeting with an address titled The Future of Art Education. The preamble to the constitution reveals the idealism of the founding members of InSEA and these thoughts remain especially relevant today.

InSEA has over 2,000 members from more than 80 countries. Through a growing number of affiliate associations from many of the countries represented by the membership, InSEA maintains contact with art educators worldwide. The World Congress is held every three years is based on a continuing belief that education through art is a means of promoting international understanding and cultural cooperation. We feel proud to invite InSEA back to New York and to Teachers College Columbia University, and the home of its first president.