The arts are proven to help close the achievement gap. Arts learning does far more than produce professional artists, although that in itself is important to our society. Arts learning teaches children self-confidence, stimulates curiosity and tenacity, and encourages creative approaches to all fields of study. Imagine an Einstein who wasn”t creative.
The collection of research described in “Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development” finds that learning in the arts may be uniquely able to boost learning and achievement for young children, students from economically disadvantaged circumstances, and students needing remedial instruction.
Arts Education helps prepare a creative workforce. According to a 2007 Conference Board report “Ready to Innovate,” there is overwhelming support from school superintendents (98 percent) and corporate leaders (96 percent) that creativity is of increasing importance to the U.S. workforce.
President Obama”s arts platform statement included support for arts education, stating that, “In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education.”
A 2006 report from the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce said in its executive summary, “The best employers the world over will be looking for the most competent, most creative, and most innovative people on the face of the earth and will be willing to pay them top dollar for their services.” The report includes the arts as an essential skill for the future workforce.
Jane Milotich
Glen Ellen
