The arts are
what make us human. The arts are what connect us to the world, to each other. We can all learn to spell and write and do
algebra, but the arts talk about those things that make us human beings, what
we find beautiful, what we care about, how we share, and how we reflect what the
world means to us.
1; Children learn positive habits, behaviors and
attitudes through the arts.
Learning a musical instrument, creating a painting, learning
to dance, or singing in a chorus teaches that taking small steps, practicing to
get better at something, being persistent, and being patient, even in the face
of adversity, are important for growth and improvement. In other words, the
arts teach habits, behaviors and attitudes that are necessary for success in
any field of endeavor.
2: It enhance creativity
Imagine an art class in which students create an original
canvas filled with color and creative use of space; a music class where they
develop their own rhythms; a theater class where they create and produce their
own plays. The arts are a wonderful arena for fostering creativity, an
important skill to have in a rapidly changing world.
3; Students can develop critical intellectual skills.
The arts foster critical higher levels of thinking that
carry over to learning other subjects and in life. Through the arts, children
learn to observe (What do you see in a painting?), interpret (How should we
play this music?); see different perspectives (What is the artist’s
perspective? What is your perspective?), analyze (Let’s take apart this play
and study each part separately.) and synthesize (How do all the parts of the
dance fit together to create a “whole”?).
4: The
arts teach students methods for learning language skills.
As students learn to read notes, compose music, play an instrument,
learn dance steps, create a painting, act in a drama, they are also learning
how to develop new concepts, build vocabulary, and learn a new language.
5: The arts help students learn mathematics.
The arts require measurement, number manipulation, and
proportional thinking, all of which foster mathematical thinking.
Students also learn patterns (e.g. musical rhythms and dance patterns); spatial
and geometric relationships (visual art patterns); and three-dimensional skills
(making models of clay).
6; The arts expand on and enrich learning in
other subjects.
Artworks provide a visual context for learning about
historical periods. Music, painting, drama, and dance help literature come
alive. Graphic designs and drawings, such as those made by inventors and
engineers, complement learning about scientific and technological principles
and innovations.
7: Aesthetic learning is its own
reward.
The arts teach about beauty, proportion, and grace. They
help to examine conflict, power, emotion, and life itself. The power of the
arts is in its wondrous ability to give us joy, to help us understand tragedy,
to promote empathy, and to make the written word come alive.
8: Children’s arts talents and interests are
developed.
The arts provide an important avenue for developing a
passion to learn, grow, improve, and do something productive with one’s life.
Many children discover their talents and interests through the arts: they
develop talents in acting, drama, painting, music, dance, sculpture, or
creative writing.
9: The arts teach teamwork!! Children learn
tolerance and understanding of others.
Through the arts, children learn how to work together to
achieve great things. As they work together, they learn to understand
differences and diversity. They learn how teamwork contributes to great
performance. By teaching students how to live and work together, the arts
contribute to making schools safer and more peaceful learning environments.
