The study determined factors which may influence the artistic expression of American Indian children at the Pierre Boarding school, South Dakota. To achieve this goal, 10 children were judged as having above average artistic ability and 10 as having average or below average artistic ability. Data were obtained by: (1) a thorough review of literature to gain a background for this study; (2) observations of the arts and crafts program at the boarding school at different intervals (an interview was also held with the instructor to involve him as a consultant for the project); and (3) interviews with each child in this study. It appeared that purposeful or meaningful use of time was directed to an expression of handwork, often artistic. Leisure time activities, family influences, and school activities affected students' artistic ability. The more artistic group scored consistantly higher in artistic expression. Indian children usually expressed themselves manually rather than verbally, often artistically. Some recommendations were (1) classroom projects could be done through the art media; and (2) math could be taught through beading and wood working. (FF)