Art helps people learn about problems that exist in the world, and art education solves problems. It is directly linked to social and emotional development, civic engagement, academic success, and opportunities. Continue reading to learn the importance of an art education.
Art Education and Academics
Learning about art has been shown to help people with math, reading, critical thinking, and more. It also helps improve teamwork, confidence, concentration, and motivation. Art causes intrinsic pleasure and stimulates the mind, and it helps people see the world through a different lens.
In addition, schools that focus on the arts help set children up for success. It helps bring low-income children up to the same ground as other children with more opportunity. When arts slip out of schools, the children suffer as a result.
Incorporating Art Into Other Areas of Study
Researchers are looking at the benefits of using art as a learning tool in other areas of study. For example, they use musical notes to teach fractions and have history lessons include looking at famous works of art.
These initiatives are showing promising results and schools should include art. The focus in schools today is much more based on test scores, but some would argue that test scores would improve with more art in the classroom.
Education Policies and the Arts
Most states do recognize the arts as valuable to education. In fact, 46 states have mandates for arts education, and 40 have art requirements for graduation from high school. However, people need to get more involved at the local levels.
The academic tests are the primary focus of schools, as this is their means of funding. These tests do not measure proficiency in art or music. Schools have reported that they have increased the time they spend in language arts and math and reduced other subjects, including the arts.
Reviving Art Education
Some states are removed from the arts to the extent that it will take many years and significant funding to revive them. New York City has started the process, and there are many other districts that are thriving. In Dallas, every student at the elementary level gets 45 minutes a week of art and music instruction. Making these changes will improve the education of all children.