The Importance Of Arts Education

According to Sandra Ruppert, the majority of the American public believes that “the arts are vital to a well-rounded education,” with over half of them rating the importance a strong ten on a scale (“New Harris Poll”). According to this Harris Poll among 1,000 American adults from May 2005, a stunning “eighty-six percent of Americans agree that an arts education encourages and assists in the improvement of a child’s attitudes toward school.” Eighty-three percent feel confident that an education involving art helps students communicate better with everyone around them. Seventy-nine percent believe that “incorporating arts into education is the first step in adding back what’s missing in public education today,” and many feel that it is so important that they would become personally involved to help increase the quality and amount of arts education children receive.

“After a certain high level of technical skill achieved, science and arts tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientist are artist as well” (Albert Einstein). In this advanced modern tech-world mostly people are dependent on science and technology, but arts also play an important role in education. Art creates balanced thinking and better imagination which helps humans to be successful in their career. Yo-Yo Ma intensely informs about important role of arts in modern education society throughout his essay Necessary Edges: Arts, Empathy, and education. Ma illustrates that arts should be also part of education, because it improve students to filter their imagination through disciplined knowledge. Liberal arts should be equal to science and technology because it creates new idea, and in this modern world people should think critical than divergent in their lives. Empathy teaches students to understand and simplify the complicated life. Collaboration include discussion amongst people or group to make things effortless. Moreover liberal arts itself is beauty such as performing arts, it values the beauty of imagination in modern society by art and sculpture.

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

“The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading writing, and arithmetic…music dance, painting, and theatre are all keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment” (William Bennett, Former US Secretary of Education).

Hypothesis Question: However, if art is important as a stepping stone for the young generation that will someday rule the world, why is art the thing that is taken away from a curriculum when the school has a budget cut?

A majority of what the arts contribute to students are what “we as a nation want for our children and demand from our schools” (Smith 1). Music, art, and drama sculpt generations and our society while also providing a form of entertainment. Listening to the radio on the way to work, watching a favorite movie or television show, a house, and even the design of phones is all created by different aspects of the fine arts. Not only does the arts play a part in our everyday life, but it contributes to the development of academic achievement, social and emotional development, and civic engagement. Even though the arts have been linked to so many positive and effective results it is dwindling in the school system and has been for decades. Students involved in the arts are able to connect more “deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing” while becoming more involved in the community (Smith). Students who are considered to be introverts have found a way to express themselves through the arts. Painting a picture, sculpting, or even just drawing on a piece of paper can be a form of expression for students who focus on their own thought and

“One of the biggest benefits of arts education for students is that it can actually improve their learning skills, school attendance, critical thinking skills and creativity. All of these are essential for a successful academic performance.” ("Why Is Arts Education Important? Here Are 3 Benefits Of Arts Education For Students") Students can learn more about math, english, science through arts by being at school ready for arts and thinking outside the box to achieve more in life. Students love coming to school to begin another project to show off their art talent. Arts should be required throughout schools so it can give students a meaning in life and so they can find themselves. “Being able to practice your passion, hobbies and interests can also develop your self-esteem. An example is a student at Stevenson Middle School named Cuauhtemoc Lara, who has a troubled childhood, but is motivated to stay at school because he enjoys and excels at arts education, The Columbian reports. "It's my favorite class," Lara explained. ("Why Is Arts Education Important? Here Are 3 Benefits Of Arts Education For Students") The more students spend on art the more they learn because they have a passion for it and putting that all together a passion for arts is like an passion for school they all go together to succeed in the world. Most kids are willing to stay in school

Art education is often underestimated by many who believe that school was created to teach only analytical concepts such as mathematics and literature. However, research has shown that art courses are important, even necessary for students in elementary, middle, and high schools. These art classes may include not only visual arts but performing arts such as dance, theatre and choir. Barbara Streisand said, “Art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, in a constant search for the truth,” (Quotations). Streisand points out that there are multiple benefits to art whether it be painted by a brush or sung from the heart. Art has the ability to allow people to see situations from

Throughout my academic career I have repeatedly been exposed to the topic of education in the arts. More specifically, I encountered the debate of whether art programs should be funded by school districts. I never quite understood why it was such a big question, but many oppose the idea, due to the belief that art is not a necessity. I would consider those people who disagree with art funding idiotic; as I consider it an absolute necessity that school districts provide funding for the arts.

Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, once said, “In my own philanthropy and business endeavors, I have seen the critical role that the arts play in stimulating creativity and in developing vital communities….the arts have a crucial impact on our economy and are an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement in our country” (“Useful Quotes”). Over the past few decades, the number of art classes offered at school has greatly declined (Farr). This is often due to budget cuts and the growing feeling that art classes have no value in student learning. Art classes should be saved from budget cuts. This is because art teaches students about other cultures and diversity, it helps students develop fine motor skills, and it helps students perform better academically.

Living in the twenty-first century, everywhere and everything is influenced by art. From local advertisement posters to world-wide famous sculptures, art is always playing a role. Unfortunately, art education fundings for schools have recently dropped by 50-70% (D’Amico). Because of this decrease, it could be detrimental to students by stripping them of their knowledge on arts. In schools, art has a huge part in giving students all their needs in order to succeed in their future lives. Arts education benefits students by three major ways: teaching good habits and skills, promoting knowledge on human creativity, and letting them express themselves through their artwork. Not only that, but students overall tend to do better on their schoolwork while being involved in arts education.

Continually, with research following art in schools, art education has shown significant benefits to child development and cognition throughout primary and secondary school. Therefore, the

Studies performed from 2009 through 2010 by the U.S Department of Education indicate that fifty-seven percent of the Public High schools in the United States have art course credit requirements for graduation. However, among the fifty-seven percent, seventy percent of the Public High schools studied require only one arts credit for graduation (U.S. Dept. Education 11). While progress by the Board of Education is being made to incorporate art into the public high school curriculum, educational studies show the progress is minimal.

Art is a way for me to visualise my personal ideas and express myself in a way for others to interpret. I enjoy being able to create something from an idea, as well as exploring my individuality and by choosing this course I will be able to refine my skills to specialise in the areas I really enjoy.

Arts education exercises your child’s senses in a way that strengthens his or her cognitive, emotional, social and sensory-motor skills. Being active in the visual art also improves student learning because it enriches the mind, hones social abilities, enhances problem solving skills and improves memory and concentration.