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Article Title: Artist-teachers, Teacher-artists and the Challenges of Higher Degrees in Nigerian University Education - A view from within
by Akinbogun T. L; Femi Kayode; Ogunduyile S. R and Ogunlade B. A

Abstract:
The challenges facing the teaching of art and the strategies put in place for the implementation of a dynamic art curriculum at tertiary level have been a major concern of art educators in Nigeria for a long time. In an attempt to reinvigorate the visual arts curriculum and to maintain appreciable standards, the Pan African Circle of Artists in conjunction with the Art Republic of Delta State University held a conference in Abraka, Nigeria. In the conference, delegates delved extensively into the challenges of teaching and learning Fine Arts in tertiary institutions in Nigeria as well as the primary motives behind the pursuit of a doctoral degree in Fine Arts. The contentions as to whether the studio trained artists with a terminal MFA degree who found themselves in the teaching of art at higher institutions need to go further to acquire a doctoral degree were the major issues discussed. Although the conference was to look into all aspects of art teaching, but the discussions tilted strongly toward resolving the differences between those with MFA who felt that the attainment of Ph.D degree was not necessary and should not be used in their promotion to higher levels and those with Ph.D who felt uncomfortable with the stand of those who had no Ph.D but would want to become Professors in the nearest future. The paper establishes that there are two types of practitioners in the art education career; that is, the "Artist-teacher" and the "Teacher-artist" and that it depends on where one belongs. The paper provides a clear distinction between the practitioners as well as highlighting the challenges facing art teaching in Nigerian universities

Keywords: Artist-teachers, Teacher-artists, PhD, 'publish or perish', promotion

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