There is talk of cutting art programs in my home town right now, and this is a cartoon for the local news paper. I thought it was pretty fitting.
I believe that the first step to advocating the importance of art programs is to educate people about how art is beneficial is to children. For many people proof only comes in the form of facts, so that is what we will give them. I found a great website, Museum of Children's Art Oakland, that had an article full of great information and facts about art. So, I was thinking for many art classes you have to have the students and parents sign a form alerting them about the dangers of the class, in that form you place these facts as well. This way you are educating the parents about the importance of art, without having to stand on a soapbox. The facts are:
1. Art stimulates both sides of the brain.
2. 33% of kids are visual learners.
3. There are studies that show that kids, who make art, read better and get better grades in science and mathematics.
4. The kids learn by using their senses and art is ideal in this process
5. The kids need a place to express themselves at school.
6. Art promotes self esteem
7. Art encourages kids to give more attention to the physical space that surround them.
8. Art develops hand and eye coordination.
9. Art stimulates perception.
10. Art teaches them to think openly. It represents a culture of questioners more than a culture of responders.
11. Art teaches that there is more than one solution for a problem.
12. Art teaches kids to think creatively to solve problems.
13. Kids can share and reflect on their work of art and learn something about the world they live in.
14. When art is integrated with the other subjects in the curriculum, kids commit more to the learning process.
15. In the process of doing art, the child is exposed to different possibilities, to discover and to freedom, this way they avoid falling into the control and the predictability of the conventional education in the United States of today.
16. Art nourishes the human soul. One feels good doing it.
17. Art brings the cultural resources of the community into the class.
18. Art involves parents and tutors in the school, inviting them to participate as volunteers in diverse activities.
19. Art provides a common ground across racial stereotypes, barriers and prejudices.
20. Art is valuable all by itself
It is important to also get your students involved in advocating for the arts. To do this I feel that students such be allowed to express how they would feel if there were no art programs. This could be done in the form of a project, or a letter written to the school board. Let your students know that their voices are very important and people want to hear from them. By advocating for the arts you may upset people. That is why it is important to educate people about the importance of art programs before it is a problem. There are risks to advocating for the arts, but I feel that if you advocate in a professional way the repercussions would be minor. In some cases though, you may lose your job. But, why would you want to work for a district like that anyways?
