Art In Public Schools

Studies have shown that art programs help the development of the brain by improving “mental representations of what is observed or imagined; symbolic, allegorical and metaphorical representations; careful observation of the world; and abstraction from complexity”(How the Arts). So why would the school board or government allow budget cuts in school art programs if it helps improve a child's development of the brain? Even though language arts and mathematics are important and basic courses that every student may need in the future, art programs should not have budget cuts because it helps improve a child’s learning ability and understanding of the world around them. It also helps students and children in low income communities that may not have

Students that are involved in fine arts may do better on their test scores. Most children that participate in fine arts have a better act And can cooroperate better with others. Many studies show that all this is true.(“10 Studies on the Importance of Art in Education.”)

Ruppert, S. ( 2006) Critical evidence: how the arts benefit student achievement. National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. Retrieved from

The brain is divided into two separate bisections, the left and right hemisphere, children need both sides of the brain innervated in order to learn properly. The left hemisphere is responsible for perceiving information more logically and analytically, it is the side that processes things math, science, and writing. Whilst the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for more imaginative creative thinking, the importance of developing both segments of the brain is not something that should be overlooked. With the aid of the arts, children see there are an infinite set of different perspective, each complexity is in the eye of the beholder, this shapes how kids view and react to problems. Every child is different, and art can be compromised to each child's individual personality in a way math and science cannot. This results in separate individuals and a diverse society where no one is the same. Since the beginning, humans have naturally been innovative and found experimental ways to negotiate through life. Creativity is valued in any career path, just as much as logic, employers are looking for fresh new ideas rather than regurgitated information. For example in his article Anthony Fasano, a internationally known inspirational speaker who specializes in

People are asking questions about school nowadays. Is it safe? Is my child doing well in school? But the most important one of all is why are they taking art? Everyone thinks that due to school being educational and all, which it should stick with the core curriculum and not have the other sections like art or band.

“Art can be studied and done at home. Art goes first because things like math, science, and English really are necessary for successful careers” (Should Art Be Taught in Schools?). Not every kid has the at home funds to be

All around the United States, art programs are being cut out of the budget in public schools. The arts include dance, band, chorus, theatre, film, drawing, painting, photography and literary arts. Some school board members feel these art programs are not necessary and do not benefit the students in any way. Elementary, middle, and high school students are forced to quit their passion and feel that their talents are not supported by their schools. Although many are not aware, there is a strong connection between arts education and academic achievement. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts in many public schools, the art classes are first on the list to be cut. It is important that the students, parents and teachers

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, art is defined as “something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings” (“Art”). With that being said, it is almost essential that art is maintained as a general course required for every student to take. While having art classes in schools available for students is important, it is also equally as important for the school funding for the art programs to be regulated throughout each district. By using a simple student to teacher ratio to determine how much money should be allotted to each teacher, this reoccurring problem could be solved for good.

Figure 1 represents the answers of 97 people when they were asked whether art education was important in school from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. 100% of them answered that art education was important. This poll was conducted using people of various ages, demographics, and backgrounds (Saal).

Schools that offer fine arts classes have lower dropout rates and raised attendance. The fine arts positively impact students of lower socioeconomic status more those of a higher  status. The fine arts have no barriers for race, religion, and culture when it comes to being involved in the arts. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to be involved (Katy Independent School District). Without the arts these students have no outlet for creative capabilities and no way to express their talents. Students who need this way of expressing themselves are overlooked and they are the ones who need it the most (Dickson). When viewing the participation of arts in the eyes of a ten-year old, “It cools kids down after all the other hard stuff they have to think about” (Arts and Smarts: Test Scores and Cognitive Development).

The arts are an essential ingredient for any child’s education, allowing every student to accomplish important things in life. I disagree that arts no longer holds a place in education. By imparting important life skills, providing character education and better appreciation of the arts, arts become essential to students in both the pursuit and achievement of excellence. Yet, many students have little or no opportunity to learning arts as arts is devalued as a core element in the curriculum. Education, without arts, is an incomplete education that fails to develop the full potential of individuals, communities and societies. Hence arts are of great importance in the students’ learning experiences and should hold a place

When used well, the arts are the cement that brings all the disparate curricular areas together. In the best schools, this is often the case. The arts are valued for their interdisciplinary potential. The result is a more cohesive curriculum in which students explore relationships across disciplines. . . . the arts in conjunction with other aspects of the curriculum afford students more complete and compelling conceptions. (p. 7)

Art Education is very important for students. A growing body of research suggests that the arts offer students a unique, valuable way to grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. These things are all associated with creativity. Schools today want to focus more on the four core classes math, science, english, and social studies which is acceptable for some students who are academically stronger in school. Opposed to the students who have a harder time focusing in school and we see them drawing when they need to be taking notes. Creativity today has become less and less more visible in classrooms in America. Due to the expansion of technology people see that it takes less time to look an idea up on the internet rather than taking the time to come up with something original.

Imagine going through school without having to sing in choir, take an art class or play a musical instrument. Without all of those programs, life might be very dull and boring. It is the arts that gives all of our lives meaning and adds creativity to every single day. However, people usually do not stop to think about the impact that it has on our own self. In fact, the arts in schools may be one of the most beneficial aspects towards our own education. Then, whey are the arts always the first to get their programs cut? It is because people do not fully understand the direct positive impact the arts have. Art in education is one of the most important factors towards raising test scores, improving social and developmental skills and improving the overall quality of all of our lives.

“Art, while being an incredible asset in developing minds, is not prioritized in public schooling, and alternate options aren’t necessarily widely known or affordable” (Furster). Why is it important to improve the art programs in the school? Art Programs or not, Rory Pullens, The District arts director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, enlightens the idea. “When you look at the disparity between those schools that were ranked exemplary with A’s and those schools that were C’s and D’s, it was staggering to see that in a district of this size only 35 schools were ranked as an A in the arts, given all this criteria” (Torres). In many cases, Art is the first thing that schools cut from the budget. Many students in the country do not have access to art, and in the state of California, that is a violation of state law. Art is a phenomenal asset that develops minds. It’s not always the school’s fault. The art program is considered more of an option to school districts, which results in a lot of people not having the ability to access art classes. School Districts should consider avoiding cutting the art programs from their budgets because separate institutions are expensive, VAPA (Visual And Performing Arts) Programs are required by law in some states, and the reason communities are so eager to cut art programs.