Why was church so important in continuing the art of learning and education in the medieval times?

Answer 1

1st Answer:

It didn't. It wasn't until the late middle ages that learning and art really began. The beginning of exploration, the invention of the printing press, and return of the Crusaders all added to newer thinking and inventions entering Europe. Thus, pushing it out of the "dark ages."

2nd Answer:

The Age of Migrations, which lasted from the 4th to 7th centuries, was a time when people were under a lot of stress to stay alive. The same was true to a lesser extent of the Viking Age, in the 8th and 9th centuries. When a society is suffering such stress, artwork becomes less important, and is less commonly pursued.

When the Age of Migrations ended, at about the end if the 7th century, it was followed by the Carolingian Renaissance, during which there was an increase in building, art, and literature. When the Vikings Age ended, it was followed by the Ottonian Renaissance. These times was a period of creativity in art and education that coincided with a period when people could spend energy on these things.

There was also a time called the Renaissance of the 12th century, which actually took place during the crusades. Since the wars did not happen in Europe, they did not focus the attentions of creative people there in ways that could sidetrack their creativity. Instead, creative people were able to look at the cultural achievements of the Muslim and Jewish peoples, and use the new ideas they found creatively. This period was particularly important for science and philosophy, but also provided an impetus for creative periods in poetry, music, and art.

There are some links below. The related question has numerous links from it to sections on medieval arts.

Answer 2

In Western Europe, during the Early Middle Ages, most of the schools were run by the Church, and most of the educated people were monks, nuns, or priests. Later on, other schools were opened, and other people became educated more commonly, but the traditional schools remained, and many people were educated in Church schools.