The Importance of Art in Education

Shelby BuckAP Language

Holland

Art as Alterity in Education

Zhao, Guoping. "Art as Alterity in Education." Educational Theory 64.3 (2014): 245-59.

EBSCO. Web. 07 Apr. 2015.

Synthesis Question: Is art important in schools?

Abstract

Public schools around the nation are losing focus on art. Children around the country are

experiencing reduced exposure to art. There is a significant national decline in the availability of

art programs which is creating a widening gap in between the rich and poor schools. When

school districts are looking at making budget cuts, one of the first programs to be removed is the

arts. The importance of art in education must be recognized and expanded upon in our schools.

Art teaches children cultural diversity. Art is essential to education and should be treated as a

core subject.

 

Art as Alterity in Education

• Lack of focus on art in public schools

• Decline in availability of art programs

• Art teaches children to respect difference and diversity

• Art should be integrated into education and not isolated as art

• Art is the first to be cut when money is tight

Teacher Perspective

Martin, Sherry. "Teacher Perspective." Telephone interview. 08 Apr. 2015.

Synthesis Question: Is art important in schools?

Abstract

Mrs. Martin is an art teacher at St. James High School. She has been an art teacher for 11 years. If Horry County Schools removed

art classes she says grades would go down across the board because kids need art to learn how to problem solve and organize thought

processes. Her favorite medium is water color because it’s more challenging and requires problem solving. Her favorite medium to teach

students is mixed media. Mrs. Martin has encountered many students who have taken her art class with no experience who then become

some of her best students. Mrs. Martin says it’s easy for districts to cut art programs from schools when trying to save money because they

don’t understand the importance of art. Art involves every subject.

Teacher Perspective

• An interview with Mrs. Martin, an art teacher for the past 11 years

• Says that without art programs, grades would go down

• The districts don’t understand the importance of art in schools

• Art is important in education because it contains subjects such as math and history

Parental Perspective

Heise, Somer. "Parental Perspective." Telephone interview. 07 Apr. 2015.

Synthesis Question: Is art important in schools?

Abstract

Ms. Heise has a 2nd grader at St. James Elementary who recently won first place in an art contest. Ms. Heise says art is an outlet for children to

express themselves. This year her child was having a difficult time and art class was a place she could be herself and boost her self confidence. Art

teachers are a huge influence to engaging students and their love of art. Her daughter was influenced not only in school but was motivated to look

outside of school for the using art in different ways. Art in school inspired her daughter to take on a different hobby. She can see her daughter using

her new found talent in the future.

 

Parental Perspective

• Interview with Somer Heise, mother of eight-year-old Ava Heise who is very involved in art inside and outside of school

• Children use art as an outlet to express themselves

• Art teacher became an inspiration to her daughter

• Art classes helped her daughter during a tough time and helped her pull through

• Art classes aided her daughter in discovering her talent and exploring it as well

Student Perspective

Heise, Ava. "Student Perspective." Telephone interview. 07 Apr. 2015.

Synthesis Question: Is art important in schools?

Abstract

Ava Heise is a 2nd grader at St. James Elementary. Ava recently won first place

in the elementary division of the Youth Art Month Showcase. Her artwork was

selected from 23 other schools in the Eastern South Carolina Art Education

Association Region. Her artwork will move on to the South Carolina State Youth Art

Month Show. Ava expressed that she would cry if art was no longer in her school.

Art is important to her because she can do whatever she wants and it comes out

beautiful. Ava’s love of art is not only in the classroom but has become a part of her

everyday life. She is expanding her knowledge of different mediums outside of

school. She gets on the computer and teaches herself how to draw from watching

YouTube videos. Her favorite medium is oil pastels. She believes art can help her in

the future and she will become an artist when she gets older. She looks forward to art

class as a part of school she can enjoy.

Student Perspective

• Interview with second grade student Ava Heise

• Won first place in the elementary division of the Youth Art Month Showcase

• Art makes her happy and it makes her feel better during trying times

• Discovered her talent in the classroom

• Continued to explore art outside of school

• Art became a part of her lifestyle

Budget Cuts to Art Programs in Schools

Emma, Linda. "Budget Cuts to Art Programs in Schools." Seattlepi n.d.: n. pag. Print.

Synthesis Question: Is art important in schools?

Abstract

Due to economic downturns budget cuts to art programs are considered an easy

cut by school districts. In a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, students exposed to

art education do better academically and socially. Kids involved with art stay out of trouble,

have more self confidence and are socially tied to their community. Public funding coming

from federal, state and local governments became tight during the early 2000’s. There are

dangers of increasing drop- out rates and decreasing test scores as a result of cutting art

programs from schools. A study found that schools with solid art programs have higher

graduation rates and found that the highest scores of any students were from music education

majors.

 

Budget Cuts to Art

Programs in Schools

• Economic downturns are causing schools to cut art programs

• According to studies, students exposed to art in school do better academically and socially

• Cutting of art programs show dangers of decreasing test scores and graduation rates

• Kids involved in art tend to become socially involved in the community and stay out of trouble

Discussion Question:

Do you think art is important in education?