Essay Benefits Of Arts Education

Math, science, history, and literature are some of the key subjects taught in schools. Students learn many skills needed for college in these courses. However, students cannot be truly prepared unless they have had the opportunity to express their creativity throughout elementary and high school. Many people support keeping the arts in schools because of the opportunities these programs provide students of all ages with. Though money might be an issue when it comes to supporting and funding the arts in schools, there are ways to overcome these obstacles. While subjects such as math, science, literature, and history are extremely important for students of all ages to learn, the visual and performing arts in school should be recognized with

The article “Book Tackles Old Debate: Role of Art in Schools” by Robin Pogrebin explains the influence of art and the conclusion of two researchers, Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland. “Students who study the arts seriously are taught to see better, to envision, to persist, to be playful and learn from mistakes, to make critical judgements and justify such judgements,” conclude both researchers.

When children take the arts classes it promotes self-directed learning, school attendance improves, and their critical and creative skill improve along with it.

To begin with, education and engagement in fine art programs are an essential part within the school curriculum because subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts all require cognitive and creative capacities which are enhanced with the process of learning art. For instance, in the article, Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefits Student Achievement, it states that “researchers

The brain is divided into two separate bisections, the left and right hemisphere, children need both sides of the brain innervated in order to learn properly. The left hemisphere is responsible for perceiving information more logically and analytically, it is the side that processes things math, science, and writing. Whilst the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for more imaginative creative thinking, the importance of developing both segments of the brain is not something that should be overlooked. With the aid of the arts, children see there are an infinite set of different perspective, each complexity is in the eye of the beholder, this shapes how kids view and react to problems. Every child is different, and art can be compromised to each child's individual personality in a way math and science cannot. This results in separate individuals and a diverse society where no one is the same. Since the beginning, humans have naturally been innovative and found experimental ways to negotiate through life. Creativity is valued in any career path, just as much as logic, employers are looking for fresh new ideas rather than regurgitated information. For example in his article Anthony Fasano, a internationally known inspirational speaker who specializes in

Throughout the years, hundreds of studies have been conducted regarding the correlation of art, creativity and one’s ability to learn. Although there is no direct scientific explanation for the results of these studies, their numerous and repetitive findings give them credibility. Reading through studies conducted by the Dana Foundation as well as the Arts Education Partnership one can find correlations between an arts education and improved learning as well as attention. In terms of engagement, one Dana study found that:

There are many ways that this decision of keeping art out of the school is hurting the children instead of helping them. With the addition of art children get to develop their own creativity and thinking style. Exposure to art can have positive effects mentally on the child in numerous ways. In participating in artistic projects, children will be able to try and experiment with new ideas and techniques that will help them develop and learn cognitive skills, problem solving, and cause and effect.

Fine arts in schools have been debated for years. While many programs still exist, children are told that their fine arts education will not help them in school, or in life. This is false under all circumstances, as with the right teacher and motivation, a student can grow a passion for the arts. Though studies are still being conducted, there is great evidence that the fine arts are beneficial in the overall education of a student, as well as the world as a whole. Art programs should be kept in schools because of their amazing impact on the academic and personal lives of those who connect to it.

These benefits make it imperative that in all aspects of primary schools there is a great emphasis being placed on ensuring that the Arts are being integrated through all key learning areas. The benefits encompass “students having the ability to become problem solvers, creative thinkers, risk takers; to be more cooperate and independent in their learning and to seek self expression and a better self concept” (Burton et al., 1999 In Byrant, 2007). In today’s society, possessing these skills are vital. It is vital that primary schools are continually ensuring, that all educators are utlising the resources available when using the Arts through all key learning areas. Through this the importance of integrating the Arts is evident as students are provided to a “greater exposure and experience to assist develop these essential skills” (Byrant, 2007). On the other hand, it is important to understand that not all educators have a passion for the Arts. Due to this, there may be less of a focus on the Arts within the classroom, as those educators feel like they do not have the appropriate skills or background. Furthermore, students whom learn best through the Arts are more likely to disengage and lose interest in learning, as the Arts has not been integrated with other key learning

Did you know that students that study art are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement? Art has been part of our life since we were little; we used to draw our family, pets, or paint in a coloring book. Nevertheless, at some point of our lives, we stop doing this either because of lack of interest or lack of support from our parents. The organization of Creative Kids Inc. (2016) is trying to solve the problem of lack of support for young artists. A possible solution for this issue is giving parents information about the developmental benefits of art that children can have as visual learning, self-esteem, and motor skills.

Some people look at art as something trivial, a thing people do because they are too lazy to have a professional occupation, but to others, art engulfs their whole world, gives life meaning, and they feel as if talent is only gained by hard work. With these opinions, there can be a debate on including art in education, and whether or not the education system should be putting more of an emphasis on teaching children art. Specifically visual art, although there are valid arguments on why other spectrums of the arts should also be taught in school.

The arts should be known as a core academic subject. Arts should be in education at schools because it helps with all of the students classes. Music includes about every subject. Math, with the counting and rhythms. English in the reading of the music; Science in the history of the writers the music and what time the music was written; History is the time frame of the songs and the music that tells a story; Physics, in the way the instructor conducts. Clearly music is a pretty important art. For example drawing with shapes, shadows and lines help with the brain and how the brain works more creatively and effectively. Everyone who gets taught from the arts is benefited somehow. “Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their

There are people who think that the arts have no value as it does not help with child development and it hinders academic results. This is not true as mentioned earlier, the arts have a great effect on students academic achievements and it also helps with child development. Math scores increase depending on the art course being taken by the students. Students who took acting/play production or music theory courses had the highest math scores and the highest verbal scores as well.(Vaughn, Kathryn, and Ellen Winner 8) Art courses help child development and adolescent development as well. “Research conducted reveals that art learning experiences alter the attitudes of young people toward themselves and others and that students involved in theater arts show gains in reading proficiency as well as self-control, motivation, empathy and tolerance for others.

A student’s ability to enjoy and participate in arts instruction can help, not hinder, the students learning and comprehension in other classes. The arts classes give students creativity that sometimes can not be achieved in an average english, science, or math class. “Students need to be creative and need to understand that being creative is as important as being proficient in skills areas like math and reading. Learning basic language and math skills should be accomplished in all public schools- not at the expence of arts, but in addition to them” (Ford and

Schools that offer fine arts classes have lower dropout rates and raised attendance. The fine arts positively impact students of lower socioeconomic status more those of a higher  status. The fine arts have no barriers for race, religion, and culture when it comes to being involved in the arts. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to be involved (Katy Independent School District). Without the arts these students have no outlet for creative capabilities and no way to express their talents. Students who need this way of expressing themselves are overlooked and they are the ones who need it the most (Dickson). When viewing the participation of arts in the eyes of a ten-year old, “It cools kids down after all the other hard stuff they have to think about” (Arts and Smarts: Test Scores and Cognitive Development).