A World without Art
Imagine a world without art, no creative
advertisement signs, no pictures in children’s books, no poetry, and no music.
The world would be a very dull and boring place. Over the past decade, the practice of the arts has significantly decreased in schools because these
activities are seen as less important to society. But imagine what life would
really be like if art did not exist. Although some may
see art as a waste of time, and that class time should be spent on
core subjects, it is often overlooked that the arts programs can help students in the
real world. Some people stress that children’s time would be better spent doing
more work in math, science and reading and less time in art and music. Even
though this may seem true, the arts programs are beneficial to students because they provide an opportunity to express creativity, relieve stress, and boost
learning skills. As Flynn addresses,
The issue of arts education is part of the larger debate over school funding in the U.S. Some educators believe that arts education is not sufficiently funded, and argue that students who engage in artistic activities perform better in other academic areas.
When students are able to express creativity in the classrooms, it helps them become more well-rounded and outgoing in their everyday lives. It also helps them relieve stress and can be an outlet for when they are feeling down or bothered, and can greatly boost their mood. Lastly, it can greatly influence how a child learns, and even improve their grades in school. Therefore, it is important for children to get involved in the arts programs because of how it can positively affect their everyday lives and their future, as well as its helpfulness in how students develop and learn every day.
Art has not only been used for advertisement or a way to make money; it has been used as a large outlet for stress. Even if someone is not a professional artist that person can still use different forms of art to relieve their everyday stress. When someone finds a form of art, whether it be painting, drawing, music or even poetry, that person can easily sit down and begin to lower everyday stress. As Young points out, someone “do[es] not have to be a professional concert pianist, a successful painter, or a published poet to use art, music, and poetry to relax and relieve stress.” Some people find relief in doing visual art such as painting, drawing or sculpting. Others find it in auditory arts, like music, or kinesthetic arts, such as dancing and theatre. Although art can be a very helpful form of stress relieve, it can be stressful to some people because of its inherent challenges. The best way to work around art as the cause of stress is to experiment with different types. The easiest way for someone to relieve stress is to just go with what feels right. Nothing specific has to be put on the paper; even if it is just paint splatter or drawing various items, it is still art. Sometimes going outside and painting or drawing one's surroundings can be a great way to relieve stress. Going to an art gallery can also be a way to lower stress because of the calm atmosphere. Others may find relief in playing an instrument, be it one that they have played their whole life or one that they are just now starting.
“It does not matter if you have never played a music note in your life. If you have a music skill to play other music instruments, such as a flute or guitar, play out your emotions on your chosen music instrument” (Young).
The arts are also a great way for students and children to learn how to express themselves. Although it is not the only way for a student to learn how to be expressive, it has proven to be a very effective way to many students. It helps the students identify and become more in touch with their feelings. It also provides a way for others to recognize how a child is feeling and help them if upset or feeling bad. While painting or drawing, some of the innermost feelings will come out and be expressed in the artwork. Generally, one can tell how an artist was feeling when he or she painted a certain work because of the different subject matter that is expressed in the artwork they created. If a child is sad, he may paint or draw something that will help him truly express those emotions. If a child is happy, she may express herself by drawing or painting something that she really enjoys. Children can also be expressive by creating music. Again, depending on the type created, one can tell how they are truly feeling. Creating poetry or writing down their feeling can be a significant way for children to become more expressive. It is a way for them to put their innermost feelings down on paper, and express to others how they really feel about things in their lives. Whether it is recognized or not, almost everyone uses a form of art as a way of expression; be it in their taste in music or a specific medium of art.
The arts are also a huge influence on how students learn. The arts can improve how children retain information and even improve their overall grades in school. The arts can also help teach and develop reasoning, sensitivity, dexterity and intuition in a child. The arts can also boost students' self-confidence and self-image, helping them improve more in their core subjects in school. Research has shown that educating children in art strengthens students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As Ford states, students are “four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement” when they participate in the arts for at least nine hours a week for a year. It also helps students be more successful in school and become more prepared for the real world. Without the arts, most students would have a more difficult time learning. In many of today’s classrooms, if they have them, the art programs are very weak. Some of the art programs consist of just a cart that is wheeled from room to room with the art supplies; there is no longer designated room for the children to go during their art classes. Some schools don’t even have a specific teacher to teach art, it is just a regular teacher that is made to teach the arts. When the students do not have the proper setting for an art class they are unable to get the full effect and learning experience from the class. As Ford States:
Yet such appreciation [for the arts] may not enable a graduate to type faster, or answer customer phone inquiries, or install roofing more efficiently in the months after graduation from high school. Time spent on arts education may not directly benefit corporations that have to invest funds in training new employees to master specific skills.
Even though the above statement may be true, the arts programs still help students with expression, communication, exploration, and imagination. It helps them find different ways to learn what is being taught to them and provides a different way for students to go about things in the classroom.
In conclusion, without the arts, students would not be able to be as expressive, they would not have as many sources of stress relief, and they would not be provided with different ways to learn. Without art in children’s lives, their world would be a totally different place: everyday life would not be as interesting, it would be more difficult for people be able to express themselves fully, and everyone would be more stressed out about what is going on around them. The arts are very important to everyday life and without them students would not be able to express who they truly are. It is important for the school systems to keep the art programs for the students; sake, so they are able to express themselves and relieve stress in their lives. The art programs are a crucial part to children’s lives and to the development of how they act and learn in school.
The issue of arts education is part of the larger debate over school funding in the U.S. Some educators believe that arts education is not sufficiently funded, and argue that students who engage in artistic activities perform better in other academic areas.
When students are able to express creativity in the classrooms, it helps them become more well-rounded and outgoing in their everyday lives. It also helps them relieve stress and can be an outlet for when they are feeling down or bothered, and can greatly boost their mood. Lastly, it can greatly influence how a child learns, and even improve their grades in school. Therefore, it is important for children to get involved in the arts programs because of how it can positively affect their everyday lives and their future, as well as its helpfulness in how students develop and learn every day.
Art has not only been used for advertisement or a way to make money; it has been used as a large outlet for stress. Even if someone is not a professional artist that person can still use different forms of art to relieve their everyday stress. When someone finds a form of art, whether it be painting, drawing, music or even poetry, that person can easily sit down and begin to lower everyday stress. As Young points out, someone “do[es] not have to be a professional concert pianist, a successful painter, or a published poet to use art, music, and poetry to relax and relieve stress.” Some people find relief in doing visual art such as painting, drawing or sculpting. Others find it in auditory arts, like music, or kinesthetic arts, such as dancing and theatre. Although art can be a very helpful form of stress relieve, it can be stressful to some people because of its inherent challenges. The best way to work around art as the cause of stress is to experiment with different types. The easiest way for someone to relieve stress is to just go with what feels right. Nothing specific has to be put on the paper; even if it is just paint splatter or drawing various items, it is still art. Sometimes going outside and painting or drawing one's surroundings can be a great way to relieve stress. Going to an art gallery can also be a way to lower stress because of the calm atmosphere. Others may find relief in playing an instrument, be it one that they have played their whole life or one that they are just now starting.
“It does not matter if you have never played a music note in your life. If you have a music skill to play other music instruments, such as a flute or guitar, play out your emotions on your chosen music instrument” (Young).
The arts are also a great way for students and children to learn how to express themselves. Although it is not the only way for a student to learn how to be expressive, it has proven to be a very effective way to many students. It helps the students identify and become more in touch with their feelings. It also provides a way for others to recognize how a child is feeling and help them if upset or feeling bad. While painting or drawing, some of the innermost feelings will come out and be expressed in the artwork. Generally, one can tell how an artist was feeling when he or she painted a certain work because of the different subject matter that is expressed in the artwork they created. If a child is sad, he may paint or draw something that will help him truly express those emotions. If a child is happy, she may express herself by drawing or painting something that she really enjoys. Children can also be expressive by creating music. Again, depending on the type created, one can tell how they are truly feeling. Creating poetry or writing down their feeling can be a significant way for children to become more expressive. It is a way for them to put their innermost feelings down on paper, and express to others how they really feel about things in their lives. Whether it is recognized or not, almost everyone uses a form of art as a way of expression; be it in their taste in music or a specific medium of art.
The arts are also a huge influence on how students learn. The arts can improve how children retain information and even improve their overall grades in school. The arts can also help teach and develop reasoning, sensitivity, dexterity and intuition in a child. The arts can also boost students' self-confidence and self-image, helping them improve more in their core subjects in school. Research has shown that educating children in art strengthens students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As Ford states, students are “four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement” when they participate in the arts for at least nine hours a week for a year. It also helps students be more successful in school and become more prepared for the real world. Without the arts, most students would have a more difficult time learning. In many of today’s classrooms, if they have them, the art programs are very weak. Some of the art programs consist of just a cart that is wheeled from room to room with the art supplies; there is no longer designated room for the children to go during their art classes. Some schools don’t even have a specific teacher to teach art, it is just a regular teacher that is made to teach the arts. When the students do not have the proper setting for an art class they are unable to get the full effect and learning experience from the class. As Ford States:
Yet such appreciation [for the arts] may not enable a graduate to type faster, or answer customer phone inquiries, or install roofing more efficiently in the months after graduation from high school. Time spent on arts education may not directly benefit corporations that have to invest funds in training new employees to master specific skills.
Even though the above statement may be true, the arts programs still help students with expression, communication, exploration, and imagination. It helps them find different ways to learn what is being taught to them and provides a different way for students to go about things in the classroom.
In conclusion, without the arts, students would not be able to be as expressive, they would not have as many sources of stress relief, and they would not be provided with different ways to learn. Without art in children’s lives, their world would be a totally different place: everyday life would not be as interesting, it would be more difficult for people be able to express themselves fully, and everyone would be more stressed out about what is going on around them. The arts are very important to everyday life and without them students would not be able to express who they truly are. It is important for the school systems to keep the art programs for the students; sake, so they are able to express themselves and relieve stress in their lives. The art programs are a crucial part to children’s lives and to the development of how they act and learn in school.
Work Cited
Flynn. "Arts and Music in Public Schools." Points of View Reference Center (23625759), EBSCO, 2011.
Ford, Adam, “The Arts are a Vital Part of Education,” Point of View (2011): 2-2. Points of View Reference Center (23575236).
Young, Sabrina. "Relieve Stress and Relax Through Art, Music, and Poetry." N.p., 12 July 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
Ford, Adam, “The Arts are a Vital Part of Education,” Point of View (2011): 2-2. Points of View Reference Center (23575236).
Young, Sabrina. "Relieve Stress and Relax Through Art, Music, and Poetry." N.p., 12 July 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.