'Cultural Education' is much debated. It is pivotal in sustaining a sense of community in a society that is constantly shifting. A space where differences can be explored, art exhibitions act as a superb medium for cultural and aesthetic education. They dont aspire to peace and harmony but to stage controversy. They enable multiple models of communication, open to dissent and rupture. Education is situated in tension between public sphere and institution, amateur and professional, artist and audience. Its development needs felicitous examples as well as rigor in discussing problems towards identifying practical solutions. 'documenta 12 education' presents in two illustrated volumes the education formats with concomitant research, providing a basis for developing theory and praxis of gallery education. These volumes are an ideal resource for people working in the fields of curating exhibitions, gallery education, youth work and cultural policy. People less familiar with cultural work will find in these books a valuable introduction to the field of gallery education. Volume 1 gives a comprehensive and richly illustrated survey of formats and models of education and collaboration with the public at documenta 12.