Why We Need the Arts in Our Schools

September 25, 2024

The ‘soft skills’ young people learn in art class translate across the curriculum and beyond classroom walls.

By Andrea Eisenberger

“Creativity is intelligence having fun,” Albert Einstein once said, and I think that idea encapsulates both the joy and the challenges we face as educators in the fine and performing arts. On one hand, we have the privilege of cultivating skills that transfer to all other areas of life, such as critical thinking and cultural awareness. On the other hand, our subjects are often deemed less important than “core” academic subjects that are measured by standardized tests. But art classes in no way lack rigor, high standards, or value to the overall curriculum. In fact, the arts should be considered an essential part of every student’s education because they foster both imagination and critical skills young people need to succeed.

In the school division where I work, we have a “Graduate Profile” outlining the skills our students need to have to be future-ready, including problem-solving, resiliency, cross-cultural competency, and personal responsibility. These skills prepare our students for whatever comes next, whether it be college or career—and this is where the arts truly shine.

Those of us in arts education know we’re not necessarily preparing future artists, musicians, actors, and dancers. Some of our students will go on to pursue a career in the arts; the vast majority will not. However, the many intangible skills learned in fine and performing arts classes will carry them across subjects and into adulthood. Often called “soft skills,” what they’re learning in arts classes “comprise a broad spectrum of personal qualities that may be learned through life experience and specialized training,” according to the Brookings Institute. Exposure to the arts has a far greater impact on student learning than just learning how to draw or play an instrument.

In my 13 years as an art teacher, I’ve witnessed truly magical moments as students learn a new technique or successfully experiment with an art process. They frequently tell me how much fun they think art class is or that it’s their favorite subject. I earnestly believe they feel this way not because of me, but because art class enables them to explore, imagine, and create in ways that other subjects don’t necessarily allow.

As with any skill, soft skills don’t just develop on their own. They require frequent practice and guidance in how to use them, and art class is the perfect place to do just that. Here are some of the skills my students practice regularly:

Creativity and Innovation: Art education encourages students to think differently. I work hard to build students’ creative skills by using creativity challenges, drawing games, and artist’s choice activities, where they choose what they make and how they make it. By focusing more on the process of making and not on the outcome, students have the freedom to develop their own ideas (which, let’s be honest, are usually way better than what I plan for them).
Critical Thinking: Students must consider multiple perspectives when engaging with art, which helps develop critical thinking skills. Whether it’s thinking through the steps of the creative process or analyzing an artwork for meaning, art encourages students to think deeply and make connections to real life. I frequently use Harvard University’s Project Zero Thinking Routines in my classes to challenge my students to not just look at art (including their own) but to think about the meaning behind the work.
Emotional Expression: Social-emotional learning is a big topic in education today as we focus on student mental health. For many students, the art room itself feels like a safe space. In addition to the calming nature of coloring or doodling, art can help students explore how they feel. Some students may even be more comfortable creating art about how they feel than writing or talking about it. Art gives them a healthy outlet for expressing their emotions and personal experiences.
Cultural Awareness: One of my favorite parts of my practice is introducing students to art and artists from different cultures and historical periods. Global competency is an important skill in our ever-connected world, so it’s essential that students are given opportunities to develop cultural understanding and an appreciation for others. Veering outside of the typical whitewashed canon of art history can be empowering for students of color who may not be accustomed to seeing people who look like them represented in visual art. It can also develop empathy and respect for diversity among students who may not have the opportunity to interact with people who are different from them.
Visual Literacy: Literacy isn’t a skill that applies only to words. We live in a world where students must continuously make sense of visual information at a fairly rapid pace. Learning to analyze and interpret artworks helps students learn the skills necessary to do this in their everyday lives.
Fine Motor Skills: So much of what is done in art class is created by hand; therefore, students are able to develop their fine motor skills like cutting, tearing, and gluing. As they draw, paint, and sculpt, they’re strengthening muscles in their hands and improving their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Confidence and Self-Esteem: I wish I could fully put into words what it’s like to see the look of pride on a student’s face when they overcome challenges to complete a work of art. There is truly no better feeling. Creating art can boost students’ confidence and self-esteem and encourage persistence and resilience. Art class is a fantastic and safe place to make mistakes. We talk frequently about how part of the creative process is failing at something and then working through how to get the desired result. We also talk about how the process of creating can give us unexpected but remarkable results. Being able to explore and go with the flow are invaluable lifelong skills.
Collaboration and Social Skills: While I don’t rely on traditional group projects in my classes, we do spend a great deal of time working together in other ways. I use collaborative learning strategies like “think-pair-share” and small group discussions to help students develop teamwork and communication skills. Sitting at tables allows the students to give each other real-time feedback while creating, and some students will even organically make artwork together.
Historical and Social Context: Art education provides insights into historical events, social issues, and personal narratives, helping students understand and engage with the world around them. Visual learners, in particular, really benefit from interacting with a piece of art that conveys a story. Being able to see a depiction of a person, place, or thing from a different time or place can give a deeper understanding of the larger concepts students are trying to learn. This goes hand-in-hand with cultural awareness, and the importance of exposing students to a variety of art from different times, places, and cultures.
Community and Identity: Art can help build a sense of community and personal identity, connecting individuals with their heritage and surroundings through creative expression. Art can also make people aware of important social issues. By engaging in artmaking steeped in social justice or civic engagement, students learn they are part of a world much larger than themselves.

This list is by no means comprehensive but is meant to shine a light on the role of art education in a well-rounded program. And while it focuses on the visual arts, dance, music, and theater also provide opportunities for students to practice many of the same skills. However, we can’t rely solely on fine and performing arts teachers to cultivate these skills in students. With the increasing importance employers place on intangible skills, students should be trained in them in all areas. One way to do this is to integrate art activities into all parts of the curriculum.

Integrating arts-related activities into academic subjects will help build a solid foundation of soft skills and enable students to make connections across disciplines. Additionally, integration enhances learning by making abstract concepts more accessible. Some suggestions for integration: using visual aids in science and math, illustrating stories in language arts, and using artifacts to connect social studies concepts to real life. Even the use of technology to create presentations incorporates creativity and critical thinking as students navigate how to present information in a clear and readable way.

The integration of fine and performing arts into education isn’t merely an enrichment of the curriculum but an essential component that nurtures a wide array of skills necessary for students’ holistic development. From fostering creativity and critical thinking to enhancing emotional expression and cultural awareness, arts education equips students for today’s complex and interconnected world. As an art educator, my mission goes beyond teaching artistic techniques; I aim to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are resilient, innovative, and empathetic. By recognizing the profound impact of arts on student learning and personal growth, we can all ensure that the arts remain a vital part of every student’s educational journey, preparing them for the diverse challenges of the future.

Eisenberger, a member of the Virginia Beach Education Association, teaches art at Three Oaks Elementary School and is the 2024 winner of the VEA’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

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