People have been expressing their creativity, skills, imagination and thoughts through art since the beginning of times. However, the contemporary educational system is focused on encouraging practical skills in students. Parents and teachers push young children towards developing skills that would yield great financial results in future. The attitude towards art as a less important field of study than math, history, linguistics, and physics needs to be changed. Educators need to include detailed art lessons, since they increase the students’ focus and creativity, develop problem solving and collaboration skills, and lead towards an improved overall performance.
Through art classes that achieve the perfect balance between practice and listening, students develop a greater ability to focus. When the educator requires young students to think about the final outcome that results from the process of creation, they become able to see the big picture and focus on a greater perspective. Knowledge of arts is crucial in the teenage period, when students are developing their unique personalities and manner of expression. The study and practice of art introduce them to new ideas and viewpoints, and encourage them to develop skills of critical and creative thinking. Through art programs, students learn to accept creativity as a natural part of their characters.
In addition to improved focus and creative expression, students also enhance their skills of problem solving and collaboration when they produce their own artistic creations. When educators encourage active participation in art classes, students are challenged to understand the object of their attention before they present it through art. In order to realize how art works, students need to be observing, inquisitive and intuitive. These skills are important regardless of the career path they choose to pursue. Students involved in arts are eager to share their products with the classmates and see what the others have achieved. Through collaborative art classes, the students learn how to share responsibilities, compromise with others and work towards one common goal.
Through the experience students gain through art classes, they improve their ability to deliver a message and express their values to the world. When people are able to communicate through art, they learn that although their opinions don’t have a great influence to people and society, they still hold important value. A report by the Arts Education Partnership (2002) revealed information that students exposed to music, drama and dance are more proficient in writing, math, and reading. Art classes an influence over all aspects of the participant’s personality.
As a result of the improved intuition, imagination and manner of expression, art improves the students’ perception of the world and the ability to express themselves in front of audiences with greater confidence. It is important for all schools to enhance the quality of arts education and encourage students to step out of their comfort zone. Creations of art are born through practice, experimenting, problem-solving and creativity – skills that are valued in all career paths.
