Is art education a ‘basic’ or a ‘frill’?

Is it important to the daily lives of all children or just the ‘truly talented’? Are we wasting tax dollars funding the arts? Do we have the wrong idea about art education?

Art is a basic part of human nature. It is also a valuable learning tool which helps a child learn to analyze and interpret the world around them. It provides a way to express thoughts, feelings and hopes and can help a child feel good about the world and themselves.

Students that participate in art education do better in other studies. Art education challenges a student to utilize a higher-order of thinking, using skills that are not achieved in other subjects. It is an integral part of our children’s learning process; a basis of our lives and our history.

Arts Education is an activity that begins at home. When your preschooler ‘scribbles’ their first crayon drawing, or ‘plays’ their first tune on the piano, or ‘dances’ around the room when they hear a happy tune; they are learning through creative activity or play. When you value and encourage your children’s enjoyment of the arts at home, you are preparing them to be better learners in school.

Today, policy makers and parents alike recognize the value of art education. Parents agree that art is as important as math or science or history or foreign language. Yet, over the past ten years schools have experienced budget cuts in art programs.

When the question of being fiscally responsible arises, are our school divisions undervaluing arts education? Your support of ‘Arts Education’ can make a difference in deciding if and how art will be taught in your children’s schools. Support the Arts!

Virginia PTA Reflections Program

For more information, email artsineducation@vapta.org
or reflections@vapta.org