Art education as a school subject is now on the verge of disappearing from the school curriculum in Japan. Facing this critical situation, we are no longer allowed to give a silent recognition and feel remorse later. Today's critical condition of art education would not have been brought about if those of us in art education in kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools, and universities had reached an consensus on the role of art education as a subject contributing to the development of human beings. However, art education in Japan is virtually in the developmental stage and a considerable number of cases based on stereotypes and misunderstandings can be observed in the practices of art education. This article attempts to identify some problems for the future of art education and highlights concrete viewpoints to restructure art education.