IT offers, perhaps, a less structured educational programme than some of the island's other art institutions, but the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSOA) takes its role as educator just as seriously.

Located on the upper level of City Hall, the gallery prides itself on the fact that its exhibits lend a better understanding to the variety of art forms, techniques and mediums which together comprise the art of today's Bermuda.

Said gallery director Peter Lapsley: "I think of the Society of Arts as operating more at the grassroots level. And we try and put ourselves out there as 'the people's art gallery'. So, no matter who you are, what artistic level you're at, you can come in here and show your work.

"Consequently, we provide what we see as sort of an ongoing educational space for our membership in regards to the arts. While we certainly try to facilitate education, we don't operate in the same way as perhaps the Masterworks Foundation or the Bermuda National Gallery; we don't provide educational courses on our own for children.

"One of our goals is to provide more workshops for those in the older age bracket but at the moment, we educate mostly (through) art shows. Because it's not a structured way of educating, it's a point that is hard to get across but I believe it to be just as educational.

"Because (the exhibits) are visual, people come in here and through looking, by utilising their visual senses, they'll learn something inherently. By looking at other people's work; by expanding their knowledge through what they've seen either idea-wise or technique-wise; by learning to look at things differently or look at things that are different . . . it's all a learning experience and an educational process.

"And I think that's a lot of what the arts are about. About getting people to view things from a different angle or maybe accepting things that they wouldn't necessarily have accepted or thought about. So from that point of view, when people come here, they are learning."

That Bermuda is embracing the arts more than before is apparent, according to Mr. Lapsley. Evidence of that fact, he says, has been shown in the levels and quality of adult - and student - participation in exhibits. There is still, however, much more that can be accomplished.

"People are recognising that there are positive benefits to utilising the arts in education," he said. "They enable people to solve problems by different methods, to look at things in different ways, to express themselves in a non-aggressive way, they provide an outlet for their emotions - but there are still very few scholarship opportunities.

"There is one that I believe is put on by the Masterworks Foundation and the Bank of Butterfield and the Arts Council run one through the Department of Community & Cultural Affairs. That's great but, basically, there are no others.

"The Arts Council offers a maximum scholarship of $3,000. If you go to the States, you're looking at an annual tuition of $20,000 to $30,0000. Consequently, students have to get channelled into a more 'commercial' programme. Art isn't valued at the same level. I wish there were four or five scholarships for young, and even more mature students. It's a goal I wish Bermuda would look to achieving."

Without that backdrop in place, Mr. Lapsley adds, institutions such as the BSOA are limited in what they can achieve.

"I think the arts are being pushed a lot harder than they have been," he said. "We have a number of shows every year that are designed specifically for students at the Bermuda College or at the island's schools.

"Last year's Schools Show - based around work of students in primary middle and secondary schools - was brilliant. The senior schools' work especially was fantastic. There were really high levels of really interesting stuff. Even more importantly, the students looked as if they were working towards something, as opposed to going through the motions because it was required (for the course).

"Unfortunately, I think that in education, the arts - unlike the areas of, say, sports or science where there's a tangible outcome; a recognisable result that students can achieve - aren't given much credence.

"It's also hard, I think, because art class has traditionally been thought of as a sort of slack-off class where people go in and mess about. Especially in a country like Bermuda where we're very economy driven; where everybody's goal is to make a lot of money, the arts (aren't really pushed) and as a result, most students don't give it much consideration as a profession.

"But there are a number of students who, I'm sure, if given the opportunity, if channelled in the right direction, would go on to become fairly successful artists. Keeping all that in mind, when you look at what (these kids) are doing, it's even more fantastic."

q The Bermuda Society of Arts is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free.