Art Classes in Schools: To be, or not to be?

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Recommended: The effect of music on education

Most people would agree that music and art programs in schools have a huge impact on students not only academically, but in just about every aspect of their lives. Studies have shown that students who are involved in music and art programs have an overall higher IQ and show signs of many other academic benefits. Participating in such programs also allow students the opportunity to express themselves artistically and show the world their perhaps otherwise hidden potential. We all know how fun it can be to show the world your unexpected abilities, and what better way to show those off than the place where we spend most of our day-to-day lives? Unfortunately, even with all these obvious benefits, when the school budget is short, the first things to go are the art programs. Because of this, opportunities become more limited. Creative expression is cut short. Higher potential for success in math and science shrinks. Enjoyable, informative, and influential elective classes disappear. Art programs really are not the best choice when deciding which classes to cut in order to have enough money for those extra textbooks or new desks.

Time and time again, the issue has been tested and has proven that benefits are very real and art programs are largely effective. The University of Michigan exalts music and art programs and portrays them as essential classes (Murphy). The university considers art programs to be ways to develop imagination, which helps build an understanding of the real world. It sees the connections between arts, math, and science: both “require imagination and aesthetic judgment … [and] call on discipline in the acquisition and application of skills, along with intellectual strictness in the pursuit of both formal and conce...

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Davidson, Benjamin. National Arts Education Public Awareness Campaign Survey. July 2001. PDF.

Murphy, Shannon. "Music and the Arts Education.”. University of Michigan, 2000. Web. 5 May 2012. .

Paris, K. "Summary of Goals 2000: Educate America Act." Summary of Goals 2000: Educate America Act. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1994. Web. 06 May 2012. .

Smith, Fran. "Why Arts Education is Crucial, and Who's Doing it Best.”. The George Lucas Educational Foundation, 28 Jan 2009. Web. 5 May 2012. .

Tsioulcas, Anastasia. "'Kinshasa Symphony': An Ode To Musical Joy In Central Africa." Deceptive Cadence from NPR Classical. NPR, Washington DC, 07 Mar. 2012. Radio.

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