On the Importance of Art in Education
In a time when schools struggle to meet academic standards, nations compete in a global economy and safety is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, should art be a top priority in educating our youth? Often, the arts are perceived as a luxury rather than a necessity. While reading, writing and math are essential skills for a productive life in society, the same is true of art.
Through the arts, children stretch their imaginations. Whether painting a portrait, acting a part, or writing a song or poem, when children imagine, they experience the freedom to take chances by seeking new possible solutions. This opens their minds to other new concepts as well. A nation’s greatest resource is found in the minds of its creative thinkers.
For many students, art is the instrument through which they excel. Confidence is found where achievement is realized. Each successful experience enhances a positive self-image. The arts provide a great tool for examining and reflecting the ordinary and extraordinary. With the capacity to evoke emotions that range from delight to discomfort, art is a profound form of communication. Involvement in the arts offers an effective outlet for expressing feelings. Self-expression is essential to the healthy growth of every child.
In order to establish a community in which the arts are celebrated, it is crucial to introduce art to children at a young age. Early exposure to the arts broadens perceptions of art, giving youth an appreciation for cultural experiences. When students are active in extra curricular activities such as the arts, they are less likely to engage in dangerous behaviors.
Art is a gift one generation bequeaths to the next and society cannot afford to under value its significance and power. In a culture where the quality of life is valued, art is much more than a superfluous luxury of life. Rather, it is a necessity.
“Art is not a thing; it is a way.” – Elbert Hubbard
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