This paper offers a critical examination of definitions, issues, and practices relative to identification of students who are gifted and talented in the visual arts. The lack of agreement on the definition of talent in the arts is discussed, along with the role of culture, student characteristics, creativity, skills, cognitive abilities, affective abilities, interest and motivation, potential and processes contrasted with performance and products, art specializations, and distribution of arts talent in the general school population. Identification issues are then examined in relation to the use of outcomes derived from standardized art tests; intelligence, achievement and creativity tests; students' backgrounds, personalities, values, and ages; and use of multiple criteria identification systems. Examination of current practices and critical reviews of their advantages and disadvantages are reported in regard to nonstructured nominations, structured nominations, group intelligence quotients, achievement tests, academic records, standardized art and creativity tests, informal art instruments, portfolio and performance reviews, interviews, and observations. These practices are hierarchically arranged as steps in an identification program and in terms of their most appropriate age/grade applications. Conclusions are drawn about future applications of issues and practices. (Contains 142 references.) (Author/JDD)