The Importance of Art in Education

Creative Confidence * Critical Thinking * Collaboration

Over recent years, cuts in funding in schools nationwide have resulted in the loss of art programs, usually one of the first to go, and more emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Results of these cuts are often less engaged students, who are focused on standardized testing, and not excited about learning. Arts education helps with critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. With the addition of art, STEM becomes STEAM, and fosters connections between art and the STEM fields, connections needed for jobs in the 21st century. ¹ ²

10 ARTS EDUCATION FAST FACTS by Americans for the Arts

1. A student involved in the arts is four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
2. Students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a 4 percent dropout rate—five times lower than their low socioeconomic status peers.
3. Students who take four years of arts and music classes average almost 100 points higher on their SAT scores than students who take only one-half year or less.
4. Low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate college as their peers with no arts education.
5. 72 percent of business leaders say that creativity is the number one skill they are seeking when hiring.
6. 93 percent of Americans believe that the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education.
7. The arts are recognized as a core academic subject under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and 48 states have adopted standards for learning in the arts.
8. Two-thirds of public school teachers believe that the arts are getting crowded out of the school day.
9. 97 percent of elementary schools nationwide don’t offer dance and 96 percent don’t offer theater.
10. In 2008, African-American and Hispanic students had less than half of the access to arts education than their White peers.

At Meet the Masters, we believe it’s more important than ever to find ways to keep art in the classroom and integrated with other subjects.

Meet the Masters Provides the Best Art Education 

• MTM has 35 master artists selected because of their significance in history, their representation of major periods in art and their various art elements to be explored
• Standards based curriculum
• 3-step lesson plan is based upon proven teaching techniques
• Provides an avenue to make cross connections with other elementary-level subjects
• Introduces and illustrates new vocabulary in a meaningful way
• Art History + Art Techniques + Art Activities
• Age appropriate – 3-4 levels of instruction K-8
• All students have an opportunity to express their creative inner artist

More Facts That Make MTM Great

• MTM’s Implementation Guide provides all the tools for a successful program
• Volunteers find scripted, easy-to-use lessons that are FUN to teach
• No teaching or art background necessary
• MTM is flexible to fit any school’s schedule
• Schools can tailor the program to meet their needs and budget
• MTM has no annual license fee – the program can be reused for many years
• More than 3 million students successfully taught since 1985

Ready to learn more about adding art to your school?  Contact us today for a quote or to get more information.

Sources:

1. Arts education teaches more than painting, music, dance, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Author: Arlinda Smith Broady

2. When STEM Becomes STEAM, We Can Change The Game, Forbes. Author: Talia Milgrom-Elcott