Resarch shows that young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days a week for one full year or more are:
* 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
* 3 times more likely to be elected to class office
* 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
* 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
* 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
In addition, young arts participants as compared with their peers are likely to:
* Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
* Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
* Perform community service nearly twice as often
The fact is: arts education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child, and has proven to help "level the learning field" across socio-economic boundaries. Art also has proven to make a measurable impact on at risk youth by deterring delinquient behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performances.
In addition, art education strengthens student problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success. Plus, it gives students a deeper appricieation of the world around them!
Source: Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
And also the Americans for the Arts Action Fund
So, the point I'm trying to get across is....ART EDUCATION (and other arts) are important in our schools!! Art benefits students tremendously and helps them in other areas of their schooling. It can give new way for childrens imaginations, creativity, emotions, and so much more!!! It is an academic area which needs to be funded more and paid more attention to in the school systems.
And I will leave you with this quote from Sheila Bergman, P.S. Arts' Executive Director:
"The arts are critical to a child's education. They develop creative intelligence that encourages communication of ideas through image, sound, and movement."
