The benefits of the arts seem apparent, as a participant or an observer. There must be a feeling of accomplishment and confidence for the artist who creates something beautiful on a blank canvas. And there is certainly evidence of enjoyment when an audience applauds a ballerina for a flawless performance. But can these individual feelings and experiences translate to a whole community? Can the arts truly have an impact on communities?
Recently, I discovered my home town of Warrior, Alabama has been refurbishing a vacated armory into a state of the art library and arts center. The Regional Library & Arts Center is a project of the community of Warrior in partnership with several surrounding small communities. The vision, when realized,
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I searched the internet for studies or information regarding the impact of community art endeavors hoping to find some understanding of the process. Some findings were rather discouraging. According to Joshua Guetzkow’s paper, “How the Arts Impact Communities: An introduction to the literature on arts impact studies,” few community impact studies offer convincing proof the impact of arts programs is greater at the community level than other projects. Guetzkow brings to light that empirical evidence is less likely to be obtained since there are so many variables to be considered as well as differing definitions of those variables (Guetzkow).
Regardless of the seemingly difficult task of presenting robust evidential studies, many advocacy agencies vigorously tout the arts as essential to a healthy community. The Americans for the Arts Agency lists the following ten characteristics of a healthy community in which the arts play a critical role (americansforthearts.org).
1. The arts bring together diverse people.
2. Elected officials understand the importance of supporting the arts and do so.
3. The arts are valued as a critical component of learning for all children (at-risk included) and for adults both in the classroom and in other educational
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Participating in arts projects puts people in touch with their heritage and helps give definition to community identity. This has a direct impact on community pride and solidarity. Making art and experiencing art is an act of hope and renewal. Participating in a community arts program may not directly put bread in the mouth, but it provides a rich and nourishing spiritual meal that is often
Turbide, Anne F. "Why Art Programs Are Beneficial to Students." The Synapse. N.p., 15 May 2015. Web. 10 May 2016.
Since 2001, budget cuts in art education have increased dramatically. In New York from 2006-2011 funding for art education in public schools were cut 68% (Phifer 2).This epidemic is spreading all across America due to the push for better standardized test scores. Reading and math have become the governments highest priority, leaving the arts in the shadows. But what if the arts could also improve test scores? Despite what many government leaders believe, budget cuts in art education are depriving Americas children emotionally, academically and socially.
A recent development in public education has been the decline in arts programs nationwide. Budget cuts to arts programs are responsive to decreases in state funding, especially in states with conservative economic policies. Many states have also enacted legislation disabling local school districts’ abilities to justify employing art and music teachers. Consequently, several problems have manifested themselves, including the loss of arts programs proving detrimental to the overall quality of education for today’s children. First and foremost, arts programs improve overall performance in core school subjects; this is demonstrated clearly through higher test scores amongst students with exposure to arts and positive correlations between arts and core class engagement. Other reasons supporting retaining arts programs include to help foster community development, produce creative minds, develop problem-solving skills, aid in child development and visual-spatial skills, and encourage underprivileged students to remain in school (Metla, 2015). By removing arts programs from some public schools, an alarming issue of public concern arises. Public education, given that it is considered to be a non-rivalrous and non-excludable, is deemed a public good (Clark, 2016). Cutting arts programs in public schools, especially when cuts transpire in schools saturated with heavy minority populations, creates inequitable education and creates a serious issue of public concern.
There are many positive aspects associated with the arts and it is important people are aware of these benefits. According to Smithrim and Opitis, “reported benefits of the arts include the development of the imagination (Greene, 1995), greater motivation to learn (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997), increased student creativity, lower dropout rates, and increased social skills (Catterall, 1998; Luftig, 1995)” (110). These advantages can possibly set a student up for am extremely successful life. They should be embraced and utilized as opposed to overlooked and unmentioned.
The arts education program is important in developing skills that are essential within the workforce and that employers value. I have shown just a few of the areas that a fine arts education gives students the opportunity to hone and become well-rounded. There are still more. Taking away an important parts of a student's education away or not fighting for more arts education funding would be a mistake. So many children do not get the chance for this type of fulfillment.
..., and improvement in on-task behaviors. The successful participation in individuals with arts education is an ideal place to help students develop or improve vital social skills.
The arts are forms of personal and social expression. They stimulate imagination, thinking, thinking, and understanding. The arts are fundamental in the development of children, who can feel as well as think, and who are sensitive and creative. In early childhood education children identify and express the feelings and ideas in different forms such as music, dance, drama, and visual arts.
If the arts were not taught in schools then an even larger amount to not graduate high school and with less high school graduates there are less hardworking and successful citizens. “The arts can help instill self-discipline, sharpen problem-solving skills and show how to work together with others,” (Watts). If a person is not taught to have self-discipline, problem-solving skills or how to work with others then that person will have trouble while working in today 's workforce. No matter what job or career someone obtains the person will in some way have to develop at least one of these skills to get by. Therefore, for children to become successful in their future work or career they must also develop the skills needed to work in their future career as well. And this includes developing these skills at a young age through art classes. But without art classes a student will have a lesser chance of developing self-discipline skills, problem-solving skills and the patience to deal with other
Rhys Southan’s essay “Is Art a Waste of Time?” is about art and if it can really help people who are suffering or is it just better to hand over your money. In Yo-Yo Ma’s essay “necessary Edges: Arts, Empathy, and Education” he focuses more on art being used as educational purposes to essentially create more innovative/empathetic people. Instead of focusing so much on STEM, the author states that we should incorporate art too. Although some people might say art does not play a role in making the world a better place. I believe it can by bringing awareness to different social issues. Also, if we incorporate art at a young age it can teach kids to be open minded and happier people.
“Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts.” This is the opening statement of “The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles,” a document from the nation’s ten most important educational organizations. The basic message is that music and art programs in the schools help our kids and communities in real and substantial ways. There is an abundant amount of facts and information that supports this statement. The benefits of arts education can be narrowed down into 4 basic categories: success in developing intelligence, success in ...
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. (2014) State Policy Briefs. “Why Should Government Support the Arts” Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.nasaa-arts.org/Advocacy/Advocacy-Tools/Why-Government-Support/WhyGovSupport.pdf
Art Education is not always valued in school settings. Although some may see it as an unnecessary use of school funding, there are many who believe it is beneficial to students in more ways than one. There are many different studies that have been conducted to test the effects that art education has on school-aged children. Some studies have proven that art education can help students to improve in other academic areas. In a journal article from Ohio State University’s “Theory in Practice,” Karen A Hamblen states, “There are linkages between art learning and learning in other subjects areas and that art study can promote creative behaviors, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement.” It has also been found that the arts can teach children better self-regulatory strategies, and even foster more confidence and self-efficacy in school which relates to confidence in academics. Overall, art education in schools has been very beneficial and has proven to ignite creativity, confidence, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement in students.
...em to find other ways of expressing their thoughts. Arts classes are important and should be an essential in our society. Being artistic and creative can help students be who they are and stand out. It can help them use their knowledge and come up with extraordinary ideas to make big changes in the world, and it can also keep students away from bad things and be better human beings by doing what they are interested in.
In the end, the whole purpose of the performing arts and the centers that house them is to serve. Serve their community and the cultural climate of the day. A center is like a cultural hub that goes to great lengths to encourage and enlist community cooperation and collaboration between various geographic, ethnic or cultural groups. Art and theatre can bring together all sorts of people through a diverse and active center. It will never be a simple task nor will it always be successful, but over time humanity has made clear that entertainment and the arts are a priority in their lives. For some, it is even a necessity for survival.
Firstly, it enhances students creativity by allowing them to make a self-expression. In most art programms, students are asked to create a painting that represents memory or compose a new rhythm for a piece of music. When students are taught to think creatively, it helps them in their future career. Secondly, the arts improve academic performance, students who are regularly participate in the arts does better in their academic achievement. Thirdly, it develops the students fine motor skills when they hold an instrument such as a paintbrush or oil pastel. Fourthly, while mastering a subject, students build self-confidence. Fifthly, the arts help students to develop their visual-spatial skills. Students need to know more about their sorroundings through visual than just what they can learn through text and numbers. Art education teaches students to appreciate, criticize or interpret by using the visual information. Sixthly, the arts strengthens problem solving and critical thinking skills by allowing the students to make choices and decisions. This is certainly allows them to carry over into their education and other parts of life—as this is surely a valuable skill in their adulthood. Seventhly, perseverance whereby the students will be asked to develop new skills and work through difficult projects during the career. Eightly, focus whereby when students persevere through painting, singing or learning in a play, focus is