Risk-taking, hand-eye coordination, and embracing uncertainty are just a few of the skills gained through art classes in schools. Yup, you read that right, art classes. Art class is about more
than teaching you how to draw a (kind of) perfect circle or about drawing with perspective so trees that are far away are smaller than ones up close. Through the fun of sculpting, papier-mâchéing, and doodling, art classes give students the opportunity to develop precious skills that help them inside and outside of the classroom and improve the overall atmosphere of the school.
For students, art class can improve hand-eye coordination. Just like learning to swing a bat in time to hit a pitched fast ball, working with paint brushes or sculpting clay with your hands can improve fine motor skills (Anaheim Elementary School District, 2019). This benefit helps improve handwriting in other classes, but it can also stretch into future careers. Think of dentists and surgeons, who use small tools to poke around in different parts of the human body. While students aspiring to be in those fields probably put most of their focus on science classes, art class can help prepare them for the physical tasks necessary to perform in their future profession.
Remaining in the realm of how science can be directly affected by the arts, Timothy Bogatz points out in his article “6 Facts that Show the True Importance of the Arts” that scientists who also participate in the arts are three times more likely to win Nobel laureates (2019). This could be because art helps develop creative thinkers, engages all five senses, and facilitates comfort when dealing with open-ended questions (Van’t Hul, 2020). All of these traits can help in science fields (and countless other fields from English to computer science) because the skills allow students to get used to experimenting, trying new things, and thinking outside of the box—all of which are necessary when trying to make discoveries of the unknown.
Outside of academia and careers, art can improve concentration and be an outlet for self-expression (Anaheim Elementary School District, 2019). Art projects that take extended
periods of time require concentration. Because people enjoy doing said work, they are more willing to focus. This increases how long an individual can concentrate, which extends into other areas that may not interest them as much. Equally beneficial, self-expression is important because it can prevent individuals from bottling up their emotions, even if they feel like they have no one to talk to. Timothy Bogatz also notes that making art can help improve mental health (2019).
The benefits for those participating in art classes are plentiful, but there are also benefits for the schools that promote art classes as part of their curriculum. Art classes can help retain students because if they are interested in a school subject, they are more likely to show up to school (Kisida, 2019). Having more subjects available (i.e. art classes in addition to core courses) increases the chances of students finding something they are passionate about and, thus, finding the reason they want to come to school. Art also decreases disciplinary problems in schools (Kisida, 2019), something that can create a safer and more comfortable environment for everyone involved and help keep students out of the judicial system.
Art might not be everybody’s favorite thing. Some people may go through 12 years of art classes during grade school and still feel they can’t draw a stick figure. (I know I did.) That’s okay, though, because the benefits of art education and working creatively extend past the products produced and end up creating better, more well-rounded, and happier students.
References
Anaheim Elementary School District. (2019, February 5). What Are the Benefits of Art Education
for Children? Anaheim Elementary School District.
https://anaheimelementary.org/curriculum-and-instruction/programs/vapa/benefits-of-
art-education-for-children/.
Bogatz, T. (2018, March 20). 6 facts that show the true importance of the arts. The Art of
Education University.
https://theartofeducation.edu/2018/03/23/6-facts-that-show-the-true-importance-of-the-
arts/.
Kisida, B., & Bowen, D. H. (2019, February 12). New Evidence of the Benefits of Arts
Education. Brookings.
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2019/02/12/new-evidence-of-
the-benefits-of-arts-education/.
Van't Hul, J. (2020, September 4). 7 amazing benefits of art for kids that you might not know.
The Artful Parent. https://artfulparent.com/the-benefits-of-art-for-kids/.