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The importance of art in education
The importance of art in education
Importance of visual arts
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Whether it is visual art, music, dance, or theatre; the arts are an essential part of today’s society that is needed in all schools. They are a part of our cultural heritage. The arts are what make most humans more complete as individuals. Scholars as far back as Plato have stressed the need for the arts in education. They cannot be taught randomly or casually any more than English, mathematics or science can. Education and commitment in the fine arts should be a vital part of every school’s curriculum and should be an important piece in the educational program for all students. There are, however, individuals who do not see this need and wish that the arts be taken out of the schools.
We live in the Age of Information. The main sources of information are no longer lectures or textbooks in the classroom. Classrooms are now filled with computers, smartboards and other electronic devices to create learning. Today, learning is not so much what a student knows, but how to find the needed material and apply that information in a quick informative manner. Today’s learners do not think they just do. “We are in the twilight of a society based on data. As information and intelligence becomes the domain of computers, society will place a new value on the one human ability that can’t be automated: emotion” (Jenson). Even in this day and age learners still need to be able to think, to develop social skills, become problem-solvers, and become creative. Schools need to provide a more thorough learning about the things that still matter. These things are instruction, reliability, thinking skills, curiosity, honesty, equality, pride, involvement, and creativity. The arts offer all of these. An education in the arts assists learners to understand...
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...tand that the arts can create a more rounded individual that can become benefit to society and not just a statistic. These people do not see the forest for the trees.
Without the arts life would be boring and ordinary. There would be no creativity, no motivation, no imagination and no inner growth. The arts will give an individual a chance to express themselves; to show their beliefs, their ideas and their thoughts. The arts open up career options, regardless of what the naysayers think. Regardless of what the people who want the fine arts out of school say, these classes need to be a part of a student’s curriculum for the simple fact that they need a break from the grind of English, mathematics and science. “The arts are a fundamental, important part of culture, and an education without them is an impoverished education leading to an impoverished society" (Domont)
In the United States, fine art education in public schools has been a controversial topic for years. Due to funding, imagine your child had to choose between art or math. Well of course a parent would choose a math course because they would not survive in their future without counting. Although, fine art gives an opportunity for a student to express themselves with their thoughts and feelings through the participation of the fine arts. As in today’s society, everything is considered “art”.
Holcomb, Sabrina. "Arts Education." Rss. National Education Association, 17 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 May 2016.
One thing that many people do not appreciate is how beneficial fine arts can be to academic success. All fine arts ...
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.
The main point of this essay is, that fine arts does not have to be mandatory. As an art person, it doesn’t really matter whether it is mandatory or not. For other people it could be one class that they have to take with no interested, just to graduate. Not just find arts, but gym, languages can be part of it too. If school makes these classes non-mandatory, if will help students to focus more on classes that will help them in
Many states throughout North America don’t require art classes such as art, dance, drama, and music. While many other states require credits of art classes in order to graduate from high school. Schools in New York City note the problem they have by not requiring art classes in high school. Administrators from New York schools admit that “low income areas in NYC look to cut out art education because of tight budgets” (Raleigh). Many schools are making art classes either optional or taking them out completely because they don’t have the funds to keep them. The many schools throughout North America that require art credits to graduate from high school note the problem the rest of the schools have by making them optional or taking them out altogether. Many people say that art classes teach kids many skills
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 fight for their desire to keep the arts in public schools. Art programs in public schools are essential to the development of young minds; therefore the school boards should enhance and improve the programs and should not cut funding or force a class to be discontinued.
Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is no doubt that a cut in funding for art programs will take a huge toll on students overall grades and test scores. Research has found that the studying of music and art facilitates learning in other subjects and enhances children’s skills in other areas (Brown). Furthermore, providing students with a creative outlet can do great justice in reducing the stress from many other classes and even offer insight for students in possible career paths involving the art field. The art industry today currently supports 4.1 million full-time jobs (Dorfman). By increasing the funding of music and art programs for students preschool through twelfth grade we can see a dramatic increase in the education of children across the United States, assist with skill development in young students, and greatly benefit the economy at the same time.
Fine arts classes benefit students and schools alike. Fine arts are needed courses, not just as electives but as core classes that promote learning and creativity in the lives of students. There are three different styles of learning: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Fine art provides an avenue for all of these learning styles to be utilized during one class period; therefore, all students are able to understand and benefit from the curriculum. In a normal academic setting all types of learning may not be used, so a percentage of the classroom will not understand the lessons as well as it could have if it had arts incorporated into the class. It may seem impossible to include arts into an academic setting, but it is possible, effective, and fun. According to Barry Oreck, it has been proven that students learning molecular bonding through a dance had a more proficient understanding of the concept. He states, “We have found that if you learn something through a theater game, you can still answer a test question” (new horizons Dickerson 3). This statement proves that arts are extremely important and beneficial. With fine arts, students have a safe environment to express themselves, a motivation to stay in school, and higher test scores. The fact that fine arts are needed is evident, but will schools respond or live in denial?
Jane Alexander, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), once said, “Many children are missing out on something which gives their education context, gives their lives depth and meaning, and prepares them to be the future workforce.” This “something” that she spoke of is music and art education. Unfortunately, she is entirely correct. We are currently seeing in our country a dramatic cut in arts education curriculum in our public schools due to the limited amount of both time and funding. In many cases budget cutbacks mean arts education cutbacks. This limited amount of resources often forces administrators to place a value on the various subject areas. There is always a demand for greater concentration upon the traditional basics: English, math, science, and history. There is also a new focus on computer competency and a renewed focus on the need for foreign language education. Add to this health education, family life education, industrial arts education, AIDS education, home economics, physical education, and business education and one begins to wonder where arts education fits in.
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.
In today’s society anything can be considered “Art”. From the great sounds of a symphony, to the architecture of a modern structure, or even an elephant painting with its trunk, art is what the viewer perceives it to be. Individuals will always agree or disagree with the message behind a certain piece of art, as pieces can be offensive to some, but beautiful to others. Some argue that funding the arts in school is a waste of money, time, or a combination of both, but the benefits outweigh the negatives by far, due to a variety of reasons.
Throughout the ages art has played a crucial role in life. Art is universal and because art is everywhere, we experience it on a daily basis. From the houses we live in (architecture) to the movies we see (theatre) to the books that we read (literature). Even in ancient culture art has played a crucial role. In prehistoric times cave dwellers drew on the wall of caves to record history. In biblical times paintings recorded the life and death of Christ. Throughout time art has recorded history. Most art is created for a specific reason or purpose, it has a way of expressing ideas and beliefs, and it can record the experiences of all people.
"Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best." Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014.
Visual arts refers to visual and tactile art, print and craft media, self-expression, analysis and interpretation (Edwards, 2010). Teachers play an important role in enhancing children’s creativity and supporting visual arts in the classroom.