The Importance of Arts in Education
Arts are constantly being defunded in schools yet they are one of the most valuable classes for growing minds.
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Even though the number of students enrolling in OK schools is increasing, the arts classes being offered are declining. This is in the entire state of Oklahoma, meaning that all public schools in the state are offering less art classes with more students coming into the school system. Not having art classes means that kids won't be able to use their creativity and develop skills necessary for growing minds. With 680,000 kids enrolled there were almost 19,000 art classes being offered. When 700,000 kids were enrolled, the number of art classes offered was 17,500.This shows an increase in students and a decline in classes. Oklahoma is only one state, but many are following this path.
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It's proven that the arts help develop young minds. Letting kids use their creativity and explore that side is something they will carry with them forever. Art classes also help bring things to life in other subjects. Students don't have to read about the solar system, but rather draw it out and use colors to determine which planet is which. Students can read a book, then watch the film to get a better understanding for what they read. Art classes themselves teach bravery and teamwork, both of which are major life skills. It takes bravery to sing onstage and it takes a team to have a band or put on a play. Art is so much more than coloring time, it's a developmental skill that students use throught their life.
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The arts benefit the community as a whole. People who live near the schools will come see the plays and watch the choir concerts. The whole town watches the marching band play during friday night football games. The art projects are displayed around town for everyone to see and enjoy. Art brings people happiness which is something that should be valued.
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In a study done by the Education Writers Association, different sections of the US have different access to art classes. In the WEST, only 33% of kids took an art course and 50% were in a state with an arts curriculum. In the MIDWEST, 47% of kids took an art course, and 61 were in a state with an art curriculum. In the NORTHEAST 68% of kids took an art course and 82% were in a state with an art curriculum. In the SOUTH, 35% of kids took an art course and 71% were in a state with an art curriculum. As you can see, the data points vary from state to state, but not many students take art courses or are even in states with an art curriculum.
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I am a student of the arts myself and I participate in choir and theatre for my school. These art classes give me and my peers a place to be creative and bring stories to life. This year our drama departments funding went from $10,000 to $1,000. While this was happening the football program got $40,000 from their previous $30,000. They already had more money than us and ontop of that football get a lot of fundraising money. The $40,000 was soley from the school's budget. Us as a department had to work and figure out a way to stick with this money and were racing for fundraising ideas. While we were still able to have a good year, many schools don't even get the $1,000 or even have drama departments to begin with. It means a lot to me, because it impacts me personally and I am angry that people don't fund the arts because they assume it's not needed in kids lives. Below is a photo of me acting in Noises Off my sophmore year, by far my favorite show I have been apart of and one of my proudest acting moments:)