Art education at the threshold of changes: challenges of the XXIst century

The central theme of the article is actualization of preserving and prospects developing of the art education system known as one of the leading in the world practice. The new values in education, modern requirements at the labor market set essentially different tasks before higher educational institutions. Special attention at present is paid to the model formation of a graduate who, as a future expert, should possess competences necessary for successful self-actualization in the professional area and be capable of acting competently and creatively in non-standard situations and also in the conditions of promptly changing society demands.