Visual and Performing Arts in Education

Introduction

Arts have always played a significant role in human creativity and expression, hence their value in education cannot be overstated. The arts have been utilized in education to provide students the chance to express themselves, explore their creativity, and develop important skills. Unfortunately, the local school board is thinking about reducing funding for the school’s artistic programs. I’ll go through my reasoning for focusing on arts in education in this report to demonstrate why the arts should get funding. I cover the following details in full detail: Examples of both the visual and performing arts genres are provided, together with key concepts and vocabulary from the course, and an explanation of the experience of the arts is provided. Describe the value of the arts to mankind. Include stories from accomplished people (such as business executives, entrepreneurs, and celebrities) describing why they support the performing and visual arts. I conclude by outlining how the arts support a diverse society.

Why Education Should Support the Arts

Because the arts are important to schooling, I’ve chosen to talk about them. The first benefit of using the arts in education is to encourage learners’ creativity while also giving them a venue for self-expression. Students who participate in performing and visual arts are encouraged to think critically, communicate their thoughts and feelings, and engage in unique imaginative exploration. According to Thomas (2023), school arts programs provide students a chance to be creative and a venue to express themselves via art. Arts activities encourage creativity, problem-solving abilities, and originality in learners. Additionally, through participating in the arts, kids grow socially and emotionally, increasing their IQ and empath capacity. As they learn to value diversity, accept opposing viewpoints, and cultivate compassion and empathy, students are in a position to comprehend and explore a variety of perspectives, emotions, and cultures via creative experiences. The enhancement of social and emotional development via the use of the arts in school helps to create positive interactions and relationships.

There are categories for performing and visual arts in the arts. The visual arts category includes sculpture, photography, and drawing and painting as examples. Students discover how to communicate and explore their ideas, feelings, and thoughts visually via visual arts. For instance, in a painting or drawing class, students utilize their knowledge of color theory and brush techniques to produce a powerful drawing or painting that captures the essence of the individual. Dance, music, theater, and poetry are a few examples of performing arts. Music which incorporates a chorus will assist the learners to employ voices in their groups (Thomas, 2023). When music is playing, a dancer enables students to express themselves via movement. Through acting skills, theatre teaches students how to express their emotions, take on various personas, and explore narratives. The performing arts provide students a place to practice self-expression, self-assurance, creativity, and teamwork coordination.

Participating in a drawing club, poetry team, dancing team, theater club, school band, or choir exposes one to the arts throughout their schooling. Additionally, schools often have exhibits where students may display their creative works. The incorporation of the arts into other courses exposes students to the arts as well.

The Value of the Arts to Humanity

Because they inspire creativity, promote social and emotional growth, and enhance cognitive capacities in those who participate, the arts are vital to mankind. The arts foster creative expression, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities, all of which are very beneficial in many facets of life. Additionally, the ability to express and explore one’s feelings is given to individuals who participate in art, which is why it is vital to humans. The ability to connect with others successfully is facilitated by emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy, which the arts cultivate. Last but not least, the arts improve cognitive functions since they have a good influence on cognitive growth, which results in improved memory, analytical ability, and attention.

Supporters of the performing and visual arts

By using their financial resources, knowledge, and clout to support arts programs at educational institutions, patrons of the arts contribute to the long-term sustainability of the arts in our education. Business moguls like Michael Bloomberg, for instance, have been making considerable contributions through funding cultural institutions like theaters, museums, and arts programs in schools. Elon Musk, a successful entrepreneur who has given to museums and sponsored a number of exhibits, is a supporter of the performing and visual arts who has also had a substantial effect on the arts. Celebrities support the performing and visual arts by using their celebrity and riches as patrons of the arts. For instance, Beyoncé launched a project that provides students exploring the arts with scholarships in addition to funding creative and educational initiatives.

Arts Support for Diversity

The arts support the many cultures in society in many different ways. First, many cultures from throughout the globe are celebrated and brought to light via the arts. Arts are seen as a global language that unites a society by overcoming the gaps generated by various cultural differences (Colebrook, 2019). Different cultural artists utilize art to illustrate their viewpoints, experiences, and differences. As individuals all across the globe develop their viewpoints, learn, and combat preconceptions among people from varied origins, representations via art lead to diversity. Additionally, the arts promote cross-cultural understanding by allowing individuals to express themselves creatively while learning about other people’s cultures, worldviews, and customs. People may learn to appreciate many creative genres via art, which fosters intercultural empathy and understanding. As a result, the arts provide a forum for individuals to learn about and engage with other communities’ and the world’s distinct cultures, thereby bridging the cultural divide and fostering an integrated multicultural society.

Conclusion

The importance of the arts in education cannot be overstated since they foster creativity, cultural variety, the development of the mind, and emotional growth. Schools that provide arts programs see a wide variety of advantages, from community development to academic and personal growth. Therefore, it is crucial that the local board think about maintaining financing for arts programs and activities at educational institutions rather than reducing down.

Reference

Colebrook, C. (2019). A Cut in Relationality: Art at the End of the World. Angelaki, 24(3), 175-195.

Thomas, B. (2023). Introduction to Spring Valley high school fine arts department: ARTS/100: Introduction to the Visual and Performing Arts.