As a society, we have a complex relationship with the arts. While there is a clear appreciation for art, it often takes a backseat to subjects like math, writing, and science in terms of perceived importance. Although these subjects are crucial for educational progress, we must never forget that art opened the door to education. Too often, our approach to integrating art into the curriculum is perfunctory, failing to recognize that art is not merely a steppingstone for education; it is a foundational pillar that supports and enhances all areas of learning and human development.
No matter how we look at life, we can't escape the fact that everything we have came from a vivid imagination. Language evolved through the clever manipulation of sounds. Stories and culture were kept alive by people who drew symbols and gave them meaning. Even when we casually say that the heart beats with a rhythm, it shows how deeply art and creativity are woven into our basic and complex understandings.
In college, the chairman of the Education Department, Dr. Gaines, said something that I never forgot: "First, we learn to read, then we read to learn." Isn’t that interesting? At some point, we stop learning to read because reading to learn takes over, and that makes perfect sense. This same phenomenon seems to also relate to art and education.
During my junior year in college, I worked as a daycare teacher for 2–4-year-olds. There was an immense focus on art and its ability to expand a child's mind. In practice, not only were the children thriving and learning, but my own appreciation for education was also skyrocketing. This experience with children solidified my belief that I was meant to be a teacher. However, there was a stark contrast: while I was a college student learning to teach K-5 students, art was not considered as important as core subjects like writing, reading, math, and science.
By the time I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Education, I had decided not to use my degree in its intended capacity. I was no longer interested in teaching within a system so focused on creating a workforce mentality that it stifled teaching creativity. My time as a daycare teacher had made me fall in love with using art as a facilitation tool, and I had fallen out of love with traditional education. The irony was that I did not want to teach an art class; I wanted to integrate art into all aspects of learning.
This irony led me to question the entire educational system. Why couldn't comprehension be taught in an acting class? Why can't dance or gym include an applied physics component? Why aren't we teaching reading comprehension in math when students typically start failing as soon as word problems are introduced? The physical, hands-on, tactile approach that makes learning concrete is often replaced with abstract practice, yet we expect students to remain engaged through will power.
Studies have shown that engagement in the arts, including performing arts, significantly improves performance in school. For example, students involved in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to be awarded for school attendance. Research from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts indicates that students who participate in arts programs demonstrate higher proficiency in reading, writing, and math. These studies also show that arts education fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, which are essential across all areas of learning. Furthermore, the integration of arts into the curriculum has been linked to improved social and emotional development, leading to better student engagement and reduced dropout rates.
Knowledge is the destination, but art was the first mode of transportation, and we forget that. The irony of the education system placing art in low importance is that someone had to imagine, plan, and create the education system in the first place. This highlights the contradiction in undervaluing art when the system itself is a product of creative thinking and design. It underscores the essential role of imagination and creativity in all aspects of development, including the structuring of educational frameworks. Without the influence of art and creativity, even the very systems that prioritize other subjects wouldn't exist.
Art is not just a supplement to education; it is a fundamental component of it. Art opened the door for education, laying the groundwork for human creativity and intellectual development. The diminishing role of art in our education system undermines the very foundation of human creativity and innovation. By acknowledging the intrinsic value of art and integrating it more deeply into our educational practices, we can cultivate a generation of thinkers who are not only knowledgeable but also imaginative and innovative. It is time to recognize that art and education are not mutually exclusive but are interdependent. By embracing this synergy, we can create a richer, more vibrant society that values the creative potential in every individual.
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