Art education has many purposes. Chapter one of "Emphasis Art," by Robert D. Clements and Frank Wachowiak, gives several reasons why it is important to teach art. Some of these reasons are cultural understanding, making the Ordinary Important and Special, personal communication and expression, general and artistic creativity, literacy and cognition different way of learning and communicating in school. Art can help in all of these areas. Here are some examples how.
One reason to teach art education is a different way of learning and communicating in school . Teaching children art allows children to communicate using nonverbal communication. "The arts also help provide and extend meaning. Because so much of a child's education in the early years is devoted to acquiring the skills of language and mathematics, children gradually learn unconsciously" (reference 2). Art education provides the chance for growth in other areas besides art. Studies show that the majority of children prefer art to other academic learning. By in corporation art into area such as math and reading allow children to learn the required courses in a way that is more interesting and fun. Where conventional method fail art can provide a way to help the students learn differently. “Research also addresses examples of young people who were considered classroom failures, perhaps “acting out” because conventional classroom practices were not engaging them these “problem” students often became the high achievers in arts learning settings.” (reference 4). Art education also provides the means for students with learning disabilities a different way to absorb information.
Another reason to teach art education is literacy and cognition. “Many art educators share the belief that all children possess innate creative and appreciative abilities than can be nurtured through art instruction”(reference 1). Using art to process information makes things more interesting for the student and easier to understand. Art education also helps with students where English is not there first language. Art transcends language. Communicating through art helps students who can not verbally express themselves because of language barriers or cultural differences.
General and artistic creativity is another reason to teach art."The development of the imagination, the technical skills, and the sensibilities needed to create aesthetic form is much – but not all – of what arts education is about” (reference 5). Creating art helps children imagine and explore possibilities. Teaching art helps through art therapy. "Expressive arts therapies directly engage auditory, visual and kinesthetic senses as well as emotions" (reference 3). Teaching art allows a form of nonverbal therapy. This allows teachers insight into their students lives that can help the teacher know what each student in the class needs independently on a one on one level.
1. Foundations and goals for art education. (2007). Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books
3. Expressive Arts. (2000, April). Retrieved from http://www.narrativeapproaches.com/narrative%20papers%20folder/art_therapy.htm
4. Champions of Change: The Impact of Arts on Learning (PDF)
5. The Arts and the Creation of Mind by Elliot Eisner (Chapter 4)
6. Clements, R. D. (2010). National Visual Arts Standards (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
