I had to smirk when I saw this ad from Americans for the Arts in the New York Times. I can barely remember the few art courses I had as a school kid.

Somewhere around 8th grade we made Egyptian sarcophagi out of papier-mâché and milk cartons. I recall some pencil drawing and sumi-e ink painting. At the time, I figured a Man Ray was a fictional weapon developed by a race of lusty fembots in some 50′s sci-fi movie.

Fortunately, my MFA coursework got me up to speed. (Rimshot).

But there’s a problem. If you want more art in schools, show that art education will lead to more beautiful things. This ad – with its “high school student” stock photo and abrasive typography – looks cruddy.

Too bad, because Americans for the Arts has deployed some very nicely designed print pieces (and better web ads, too). So do your part – visit their site and demand more art in both schools and banner ads.