The Importance Of Art To Education
"Art is central to a civilized society. Kids who create don't destroy."
One of the most important aspects of art shows in the results of extensive studies that have proven that students who participate in the arts score higher on SAT tests regardless of socio-economic status.
(1)The arts instill foundation skills needed for employment, but also for life, skills like reasoning, making decisions, thinking creatively, solving problems and visualizing.
(2)An 11-year study examined youth in low-income neighborhoods and found that those who participated in arts programs were much more likely to be high academic achievers, elected to class office, participate in math and science fairs and win academic awards.
(3)Art programs targeted toward very young children help prevent negative choices later on. Young children who participate in after-school arts programs have shown a decrease in negative behaviors and increases in attention span, commitment and tolerance.
(4)For young people at risk of delinquency, school failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and other problems, involvement in the arts can improve academic performance, reduce school truancy, provide positive outlets and build new skills that give kids a chance at a better life. Arts programs are an effective intervention strategy for troubled youth who have failed to respond to more traditional educational and social service programs. Arts learning experiences can alter the attitudes young people have about themselves and toward learning, even among those who have had serious brushes with the law.
A three-year study of arts-based delinquency programs in three different cities showed that at-risk youths participating in the arts programs improved their attitudes, behavior and academic performance, decreased delinquent behavior, and increased communication skills.
(5)Former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno said much the same thing, "Young people who are involved in making something beautiful today are less likely to turn to acts of violence and destruction tomorrow." We all need to support the arts. In doing so, we are telling America's youth that we believe in them and value what they can be."
Terry Semel, past chairman of Warner Bros., said, "Art is central to a civilized society. Kids who create don't destroy."
Footnotes
(1) Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning, Arts Education Partnership, President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, 1999.
(2) Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, U.S. Dept. of Labor, 1991
(3) Community Counts: How Youth Organizations Matter for Youth Development, Shirley Brice Heath, Milbrey W. McLaughlin, 2000
(4) Youth ARTS Development Project, U.S. Dept. of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, 1996-199
(5) The Arts and Prosocial Impact Study, RAND, 1999
Kids Art
Kids-at-Art is an award winning multi-media art educational program developed in 1992 by Winston J. Taylor, Arts Center staff member. In 1993, Taylor received the Arkansas Arts Award for Art Educational Achievement from the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.
Kids-At-Art is a valuable series of nine structured art/academic sessions. Experienced instructors are available to teach in public/private schools, day care or after school programs or to home schooled students.
Each lesson contains integrated curriculum to incorporate other disciplines of learning. The lessons integrate such subjects as environmental studies, math, science, social studies, and language into the art lessons. The popularity of this program continues to grow and is often requested by both teachers and students.
For many years the River Valley Arts Center partnered with Russellville Public Schools to bring Kids-At-Art to all 4th and 5th grade students in the district. The 2005-06 school year brought a change in this program because of new state legislation, the District hired five art teachers and began teaching weekly art classes to all elementary grade levels.
Ten Tips for Parents to Keep the Arts in Their Children's Lives
How children learn and the role that the arts play in that process has been studied for a number of years. The results increasingly conclude that study and participation in the arts not only produces knowledge of and proficiency in an art form, but also positively affects the process of learning itself. The results show that the arts are cognitive-they embody and develop knowledge and mental skills-habits of mind, risk-taking, focus, and self-discipline. The following ten suggestions will help parents keep the arts in their children's lives-at home, in school, and in the community.
At Home
1. Start sharing your interest in the arts with your children when they are very young. Listen to music in your home and go to live performances whenever possible. Experience theatre, dance, and literary events together. Take your children to art exhibits. Make it a regular part of family outings. Many events at the ARV Arts Center, and others as you travel are free.
2. Keep a journal of your next vacation, outing, or events like a trip to the zoo, walk in the park or woods, or a special birthday. Collect memorabilia like tickets, flowers, shells, and pictures. Write a description of the event and paste the mementos in a spiral notebook or journal. As soon as children are old enough, let them help and later make their own.
3. Keep a variety of art materials available to your children, crayons, colored paper, glue, colored pencils, pastels, newsprint, paints, etc. These can be very inexpensive. Encourage your children to use them instead of watching too much television or endlessly playing video games. Give them a disposable camera to document a trip to the grocery store, playing with friends or going some place special. This will help them become more aware of their surroundings and the 'color' and objects in their lives.
4. Choose a popular work of art, maybe from a library book or an art exhibit. Talk about the painting and how it depicts the subject. What are some sounds associated with it? What other colors could be associated with it?
At School
5. Educate yourself about the art education programs at your school. Is there an arts credit required to graduate? Are there achievement standards for the arts in your schools? Is there a budget to support the arts in your schools? space? equipment?
6. Ask your local arts center and community-based arts organizations to speak to your PTA or civic clubs about the importance of the arts in children's education.
7. Volunteer to assist with art projects in your child's school or at the local arts center. Help organize an arts day, assist with assembling an arts and writing journal of each student's work, make art-related field trips and enrich the experience by including a discussion of art.
In the Community
8. Take your children to arts events in your community. Many are free and the quality is excellent. Send them to arts camps, classes and music lessons. Encourage them to participate in school and community theatre and vocal groups.
9. Assist your local arts organizations in celebrating October as National Arts and Humanities Month.
10. Whenever possible, take your children with you as you volunteer for arts organizations and events. help raise funds and awareness, etc.
