As part of Visual Literacy Week, Art UK is speaking to people in the art world who are passionate about the transformative power of visual intelligence and its role in the classroom – and beyond.

Ferren Gipson is an art historian, writer, broadcaster and artist, whose work includes presenting the brilliant Art Matters podcast. She is also an ambassador for The Superpower of Looking, Art UK's visual literacy programme for schools. Her books for young people include The Art Book for Children and The Ultimate Art Museum.

Gemma Briggs, Art UK: It's wonderful to be speaking as we start a national debate on the role of visual literacy in the classroom. Can you tell us why you think a good art education is important to primary school children?

Ferren: I think art education is important to everyone and the sooner a person can cultivate a curiosity and understanding of art, the better. One thing that I love about art is that it can be an excellent lens through which we can understand many different topics. Students can engage with art in art lessons – yes – but they can also explore it through history, science and literature.

Think of how looking at sculptures and paintings enhances our understanding of the ancient Egyptians or Greeks. Or how a beautiful painting can help us visualise stories from Shakespeare. Art is all around us, constantly, and I think it's wonderful to encourage people to look for it in different places.

The Duel Scene from 'Twelfth Night' by William Shakespeare

Gemma: Today you're a highly respected art historian and doctoral researcher – can you tell us about your experience of art lessons back in your school days?

Ferren: I took the standard art classes in middle school and high school, but I was fortunate to take art history in my last year of high school. I didn't know much about the subject at the time, but I enjoyed my world history lessons and I hoped it would be like studying history with pictures!

Elizabeth I (1533-1603) (the 'Armada Portrait')

Later when I needed to select a major at university, I reflected on the subjects I had enjoyed the most and I decided to specialise in art history.

Niccolò Mauruzi da Tolentino at the Battle of San Romano

Gemma: With The Superpower of Looking, we are hoping to make visual literacy the fourth pillar of primary education, alongside reading, writing and maths. How important do you think it is that children develop their skills in close looking and talking about what they see?

Ferren: Developing skills in close looking can make you a more incisive and observant person, and these are skills that translate in many areas of life. It can help you better enjoy simple things like noticing more details when you watch a film, but it can also help in activities that require attention to detail and critical visual analysis.

Gemma: We are thrilled that you are supporting The Superpower of Looking as an Ambassador, helping us to bring artworks into the classroom and support teachers in developing their pupils' skills in visual literacy. What impact do you hope the programme will have?

Ferren: I'm very passionate about encouraging people to learn and engage with art and art history, so I'm ecstatic to be an Ambassador for this initiative. I hope that it will help empower more teachers to bring art into lessons and get more children excited about art.