Personal Statement: Becoming An Artist In High School

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

Throughout my early teen years, I was exposed to different mediums of art and discovered that I could express myself through more channels than just paper. Although Barry found comfort in her 11 x 17 newsprint and some paint, I was able to focus my energy on making music and taking photographs. Without my art teachers, I wouldn’t have the expressive outlet I do today. My childhood was not filled with unhappiness as Lynda Barry’s was, but from both backgrounds, we found a warmth from the exposure of art that the educational system gave to us.

Art programs in schools across the nation are in danger of being diminished due to budget cuts and lack of funding. Due to budget cuts, “... schools have been relying more on private funds and patrons of the arts to provide creative outlets for students” (Hambek). Because art is deemed as less important than other core classes, budget cuts that have been put into place almost automatically go straight to cutting funds for art

My interest in the arts stemmed long before my entrance into high school, however that does not mean it did not have an impact on that career choice. I feel that several of the classes at Monrovia High School have either introduced or prepared me in certain mediums of art. Starting freshman year I took two art related classes: Intro to Art and Intro to Computer Graphics. If I had any doubts about my career choice, they were quashed by my experience in these classes. I was definitely appreciative that there were art related classes available every year of my high school career. Coupled with art classes through Ryman Arts, I feel that my art skills have improved considerably. Currently I am taking AP Studio Art at the high school, and although the class is rigorous in that many art pieces need to be finished quickly, it definitely has given me an accurate view of several art careers that require many art pieces quickly. All in all, I believe that my high school has

A few years ago, during the end of the day I had been given an invitation to come to the art show, which had meant my art was accepted. Once I had got home, my family congratulated me saying,” I knew you would get in.” and “ You did such an amazing job.” I had entered art in, but as I seen other kids art, I didn’t expect mine to get in, yet somehow I had still made it. The other children's art was more intricate and showed a higher level of skill, while mine was nothing out of the blue. I was itching for the art show to come. Suspense was slowly killing me from the inside out. The art show was only in a few days, but I wanted it to come much sooner.

The first class I took part in was weaving and fibers, and similar to that of playing an instrument, art influenced my life. Weaving and fibers opened up a whole new world I had never experienced; my grandfather built me my own loom, and my whole family became interested in my art projects. After taking my first art class I chose to participate in many more: arts & crafts (twice), ceramics, and stained glass. Art opened up many opportunities for me both socially and intellectually. I participated in art competitions including the contest for the Erie Times News 100th year anniversary (my school placed second) and the Vans Custom Culture contest. I collaborated and built friendships with diverse groups of individuals, worked on group projects (such as stained glass windows), and a plethora of independent study projects (macrame hangings, dream catcher’s, gnome houses…). Through the arts both musical and visual I experienced unimaginable opportunities and experiences that allowed both self-expression and

My undergraduate study in painting and drawing at the School of Art Institute of Chicago was one of the significant experiences and experiments in my art career. I was able to experiment art materials and tools in painting and drawing studio

Art school showed me several things I did not know about myself. Like how visual arts is ingrained in every bone in my body, and that I yearn for a concoction of academics with visual arts. Here, academics were enjoyable, while on the contrary, what felt extremely demanding was the art aspect. Art school reminded me about minor failures that would transform into drastic dramatic catastrophes. As a result, it also reminded me about my friends, all of which thought I was too meticulous. They were right, often I would make an immense deal about a minor failure then completely attempt to make it flawless the second time. Thus, high school made me realize how detail-oriented I was and how my perfectionism often required the best of me. Even in the most

I have always known I wanted to do something related to art, but I’ve always jumped from career to career, all that is changing now. Ever since Mrs. Glaser has started pushing me, I’ve realised that I’m actually a very successful leader. I’m able to capture a group's attention, motivate them to work their hardest and keep everyone’s morale in high spirits. I’ve found myself taking on more and more responsibilities every day. I even find myself helping with things I didn’t even sign up for. Because of this I’ve realised the career that calls to me the most is an art teacher. I’ll be able to inspire children the same way I was and maybe someday I’ll impact students the way Mrs. Glaser has impacted

I was not the best at first. Back in the fourth grade, I constantly drew Tuscan Villas and the Titanic, a symptom of my Aspergers. But like all of my obsessions, I found something better. Now in the first days of my Freshman year, I switched from a Study hall to Art I. My father was an artist in his youth, and he gave me some of his old sets and papers so I could “get ahead of the class.” Some of my first pieces were messy

In the Art class when we were M.3 students, I remember how hard of work that our teacher ordered us. That day I feel very bad because I can’t imagine how I can draw it. Fortunately, you taught me how to make my works look good and what technics I should use. You’re my lifesaver! Furthermore, we also make a good team on every group projects.

studied various art mediums to explore creative talents. In my junior year, I decided to

Art education has been proven to help with “cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills” as well as “motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork” (Smith). Having the ability and patience to sit down and paint a masterpiece or work through a song on the piano requires high focus and dedication. Students willing to do this will in turn have stronger skills to focus and be dedicated in other subjects. The mixture of all these abilities gained from participation in art programs lead to higher test scores and overall better performance in school. Still, these are only a few of the assets provided by art education.

Although art is not considered an “academic” subject by some, I am certain that art is important to all students’ education because it promotes creative thoughts, teaches students to celebrate individual uniqueness and gives historical and cultural perspective. I myself, being a student, have always enjoyed my art classes more than any other, and sometimes it is my only reason for going to school at all. Even though I am not very skilled at it, I remember asking myself, why are we not able to attend these classes more than once a week? And although I may enjoy it because it feels like a break from all the other rigorous learning in other classes, I only recently realized how much I was still learning from it. With the growing minds of

Art has always been a huge part of my life, but I had not been taught the basics of it until ninth grade. At WECHS, we have club days once a month, and one of the clubs that was offered, was art club. I decided to sign up for Art Club like the rest of my friends. When we got into Art Club’s room, most of us thought that it was just going to be people who are drawing, listening to some music and laughing with friends. We soon realized it was not going to be this easy.