Art is a powerful form of expression that can be used to communicate thoughts and emotions in a unique way. While many people believe that the value of art education lies in its ability to improve student learning, I believe that learning art is a worthwhile endeavor in and of itself. The impact of art education on other non-artistic skills and on innovation in the labor market should not be the main justification for its inclusion in current curricula. In addition to professional development for school leaders and teachers, students in the treatment schools received, on average, 10 enriching artistic educational experiences in the disciplines of dance, music, theater and visual arts.
According to Abrakadoodle, a national arts education program, art education is a creative opportunity for children. While few would deny that the arts confer intrinsic benefits, advocating for “art for art's sake” has not been enough to preserve the arts in schools, even though national surveys show that an overwhelming majority of the public agrees that the arts are a necessary part of a comprehensive education. To supplement arts education opportunities, collective efforts such as the Houston Access to the Arts Initiative have become increasingly common through school-community partnerships. The principals worked with the director and staff of the Access to the Arts Initiative to help guide the selection of art programs that would align with the goals of their schools.
Art instruction helps children develop motor, language, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. It also encourages creativity and critical thinking skills which are essential for success in today's world. Art education can also help students develop an appreciation for different cultures and an understanding of how art can be used to express ideas and emotions. Furthermore, it can help students develop an understanding of how art can be used to create social change.
In conclusion, art education has many benefits beyond just improving student learning. It can help students develop motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making skills, risk-taking skills, inventiveness, creativity and critical thinking skills. It can also help students appreciate different cultures and understand how art can be used to express ideas and emotions as well as create social change. Therefore, it is important that art education remains an integral part of current curricula.
