The Arts In Schools

The phrase, “the arts,” does not just encompass the fine arts. This phrase encompasses all art including the fine arts, music, theater, English literature, and foreign languages. Your article in The New York Times titled, “Do We Need Art in Our Lives,” discusses how the arts “supposedly increase test scores, generate social responsibility and turn around failing schools.” I completely agree with this statement, but there are some schools that disagree and want to cut the arts out of their education programs. These schools obviously do not see the impact that the arts can have on individual students and the school community as a whole. For some students, extracurricular activities are the only thing keeping them in school. Multiple studies have proven that art studies help keep high-risk drop out students interested in school and stop them from dropping out. I have experienced this phenomena first hand. My friend was prepared to drop out of school because of bullies whose harsh words and general treatment of her was causing her grades to dwindle. She was constantly afraid and losing her ambition until I talked her into attending an art class with me. Instead of bottling everything
up, she started expressing her feelings through art.
Studies have proven that art can help students achieve a higher level of social tolerance giving them the ability to handle stressful situations, like the one my friend endured. This newfound tolerance can completely change a students’ attitude which, in turn, can help students focus more causing their critical thinking skills to go through the roof. The improvement is definitely evident in my friends case as she quickly went from a very low average straight up to an A average. Art truly changed her life by bringing her ambition back and turning her attitude completely around.
Most schools want to wipe the arts out their districts because they believe that art doesn’t teach anything important, but they are wrong.
Art can teach students to express themselves and it can even get children interested in history. Just like any other subject in school, art has a history. However, the history of art is so much broader than other historical school subjects. Art reaches all the way back to ancient petroglyphs (cave paintings) and extends from there into dozens of different cultures including the Sumerians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans. The history of the arts is actually quite fascinating because of their ability to reach a broad spectrum of cultures and continue, even to this day, to go through drastic changes, yet still maintain the same general
purpose.
Art is meant for free expressions. It is meant to give a voice to those who either do not have a voice or haven’t figured out how to use their voice yet. Art gives students a chance to express themselves without worry of rejection because everyone has their own style for painting, or drawing, or playing an instrument. No one can tell anyone that they are wrong.
Students need to be exposed to the arts in school because, if they aren’t, then we could lose a lot more than just a few school subjects. The arts infuse every part of our lives. They are a part of history and our culture. The arts spark our creativity and, if we lose sight of how important the arts are, then that creativity could be lost forever. Teachers should aspire to inspire because all students deserve the chance to explore their creativity. All students deserve the chance to make their voices heard.