Art Classes Are More Important Than We Think. Sindie Hedge.

All around the United States, art programs are being cut out of the budget in public schools. The arts include dance, band, chorus, theatre, film, drawing, painting, photography and literary arts. Some school board members feel these art programs are not necessary and do not benefit the students in any way. Elementary, middle, and high school students are forced to quit their passion and feel that their talents are not supported by their schools. Although many are not aware, there is a strong connection between arts education and academic achievement. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts in many public schools, the art classes are first on the list to be cut. It is important that the students, parents and teachers

These courses teach students specific technical and thinking skills needed to succeed in school and college. Students need to have the chance to be creative, too, though. Budget cuts and limited funding can cause problems for school arts programs, but many people are willing to support arts education in public schools if they see how much it really benefits the students. Courses in the arts deserve just as much appreciation and recognition of just how important they are to students’ lives as math, science, history, and literature

“Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance” ("11 Facts about Arts in Education"). Music and art are clearly not two subjects that schools today can afford to cut off funding for based on this evidence. Music and art programs are responsible for increasing school attendance, which can lead to being one of the most important things in a student’s academic success in school. Students have to attend school and be present in order to attain the information from their classes and teachers if they wish to succeed. Better attendance means more students are in class, which means more students are getting the information they need to excel from their teachers, which ultimately means better grades and test scores for schools. As of today, arts are defined as core subjects in only twenty-six states in America (Mandel). If only twenty-six states are treating art education as a core subject, that means that twenty-four states are currently neglecting art programs and not considering them important to their student’s education. If more states are educated on the importance of art programs for young students, and the arts are defined as core subjects nationally, then there will be a

Since people’s views only go as far as seeing programs like painting, drawing, choir or orchestra -to which can help develop one’s creativity- as just a distraction towards more important classes, such as science or math. Though multiple studies prove, “Schools with long-standing art programs have higher graduation rates. In many instances, art classes motivate students to stay in school, especially low-achieving students, by fostering closer ties with peers and creating community-oriented environments” (Metla). Showing, how schools with art programs can serve as a motivation for a student’s need for success. Not only do programs like art or music motivate, but classes taught at college levels also show how subjects like, “The humanities teach something. Their subject matter is culture, and since everything human beings do is mediated by culture -- by language, by representations, by systems of values and beliefs -- knowing how to understand other languages, interpret cultural expressions, and evaluate belief systems is as indispensable to functioning effectively in the professional world as knowing how to use a computer. This knowledge may or may not make you a better person; it can certainly make you more productive and successful in the workplace” (Menand). To which, undoubtedly justifies the importance of classes like the humanities, because there is basic knowledge that can be learned and applied to one’s life. Furthermore showing how many “Schools across the country have faced budget shortfalls in recent years, a common cost-cutting measure is to slash funding for arts education, prioritizing what are deemed more essential subjects such as math, reading, and science” (Fang). When schools focus less on classes that enhance a student's creative and innovative thinking, then there is less of a chance that

Students often wonder why they are getting bad grades in school. Students wonder if they did not study enough or may not have studied, but really they can just study with art class! One might think “What, art class?, what do you mean how can art affect one’s grades?” Art classes can help graduation rates, rewire your brain in fabulous ways, and increase grades in core subjects like math, reading, and english.

Staring at a person across the room, you find yourself wondering who they really are. What do they do? And perhaps, where are they going in life? Truth is you can tell very little about a person from just their appearance, as it is with me. But after time it is hard to not to notice how much art is a part of my life, and what it means to me. Throughout this paper I will focus on why studio art is my major (and why others such as art education are not), then I will address the economic side of becoming an artist/ art instructor, and finally how current trends such as conceptual art are effecting the art world and my education.

When thinking of school, one might imagine a place filled with students lugging around heavy backpacks full of math and English homework, teachers giving lectures on the Civil War or the functions of a cell, and classrooms full of desks and dull decorations. But, it is exactly this mindset that proves America has gone wrong with education. Instead of a learning environment in which students are tested on mindless information, school should be a place where new and creative thinking is encouraged. While young children coloring with crayons may seem more appropriate for a break time than class time, schools should consider implementing more artistic classes into their curriculum. The American education system places a heavy focus on core classes such as math, reading, and science, but fails to recognize the importance of another set of courses that benefit students: fine arts programs that include painting, sculpting, music, and drama that can help children develop basic skills, reduce stress levels in students, and improve academic performance, all of which prepare children and teenagers to enter the adult world with the tools necessary to build their own success.

manner, it is not hard to find ourselves participating in the minimum amount of work to meet all requirements for an objective. This lethargic mindset sounds like a simple way to construct a daily routine but should not be the framework for today's educational requirements and standards. The value between core and non traditional classes should not to be compared in importance, both are essential to a student's education. Studies show students who are offered art in their early years of education show greater success rates than students who are not involved in creative, visual, and performing arts courses. Elective classes, oftentimes the only highlight of a student’s day, teach valuable skills used in daily life. What distinguishes art as an essential element to a student's education? Simply for the well known fact students need time to refocus and generate new ideas beyond core content, schools that include a creative class in student’s schedules allow them an opportunity to do that and if not more. Art education goes beyond the covered content and learning potential, but also offers the individual a chance to relax, refocus, and generate expressive ideas beyond the traditional classroom setting and coursework.

As our education budget continues to diminish, our art programs have received the brunt of the cutbacks. In such schools, the arts exist in unappreciative, and even hostile environments. We should be fighting to keep art programs in the education system because they have been an essential part of American culture, they illuminate truths perceptually and more immediate than the spoken word, and they offer an indispensable educational dimension to our students.

Art programs for our young elementary students is imperative because it provides them with the critical foundation to be able to express their thoughts, emotions, feelings, and understanding of the world around them. Furthermore, the arts programs for this age group encourages creativity, improves fine motor sills, increases academic performance, and boosts focus. For instance, “Teachers in a number of districts in California are using classic works of art to inspire

The Arts form a huge part of what makes an individual human. Ewing (2011) describes art education as the central role in forming cultural practices and identities of all individuals. This is the purpose of arts education, it is a tool used by Educators to cultivate the development of the whole child by encouraging genuine learning opportunities that yield to the development of the child socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively and ethically. If Children are to become creative and successful individuals in the broader society then it is crucial that the stepping stones for these individuals to achieve are enabled with the aid of a rich educational curriculum (MCEETYA, 2008). Educational curriculums need to be designed to enable children and youth with abilities and skills to participate fully in the world that lies beyond the bubble that is school. Individuals need to be able to problem solve, regulate behaviours and emotions and think strategically (Ewing, 2011). One of the ways these skills can be imparted is through the Arts. Access to the Arts allows children to absorb new skills and knowledge in ways that differ from more traditional methods of teaching. Using engaging vehicles such as drama, media and music, dance and visual arts as a means to promote holistic learning experiences, creates the possibility for individuals to bloom as members of society (MCEETYA and Cultural Ministers Council, 2005).

Over the years, the opinion on the vitality of the arts has fallen dramatically. Due to this, an increasing amount of schools cut their budget and time for their arts programs. This is extremely detrimental to the well-being of many people, especially children, who rely on the arts. Not only do the arts provide a safe, fun, and healthy way to release pent-up energy and provide a way for people to express themselves, but studies have shown that the arts benefit people in a myriad of different ways in the long run. The arts are more than just beneficial - they are vital. The arts are integral to the growth and well being to many students and if schools cut these programs, there will be a widespread negative effect across the board - and the educational system will have failed to provide the best education for their students.

High schools across the country are working hard to defund their art programs, primarily because they believe that they are less important than the standard studies of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Not only should students take an arts program during their high school careers, but they should also take at least two semesters to be able to gain all that they can from one of the particular programs. It is now more important than ever to ensure an equally balanced education between the standard and art classes. Studies have shown that participation in arts such as music has had a significant impact on a student’s learning process in an extremely positive way (Judson). Teachers and principals are beginning to realize how important these programs really are because they can see the improvement in their student’s academic scores and involvement with the school.

All around the United States, art education programs are overlooked and pushed under the rug in public schools. The arts include musical theatre, drama, photography, pottery, music, choir and literary arts. Most California school board members feel these art programs are not necessary and do not benefit the students’ academic learning in any way. California state code twelve makes it mandatory for students grade Kindergarten through twelve to receive art instruction. Although many are not aware, there is a strong connection between arts education and academic achievement. Unfortunately, due to the most recent budget cuts in many public schools, the art and music classes are first on the list to be cut. Should the arts be funded or should all our focus be on teaching students the curriculum and allowing the parents to get their kids involved with creative outlets? I believe art should be incorporated into almost everything that a developing mind learns. The importance of art education in public schools can be seen in the development of minds, the discovering of one’s self, and through an outlet of expression.

The importance of the study and practice of different types of art education has been dated back to Plato’s time. Studying the arts today is often overlooked due to the other core classes and deemed unimportant, yet to many students it is something they’re passionate about. It takes time to learn and perfect the skills required to perform these arts similarly to how it takes time to learn new formulas and how they work in a math class. However, all over the country, there are schools losing state funds. Fine arts is one subject that is being hit the hardest by this. Classes such as band, drama, music, painting, etc., are either being taken out individually or they’re all being eliminated completely. All forms of art and art education aid to the improvement of student’s learning abilities and are essential to their school career, therefore it should not be ripped away from the school curriculum.