ELEM 1213

VALUES OF ART
EDUCATION
NORMA S. DAVID, EdD
Associate Professor IV
• Art affects human understanding and
interpretation of the world. Art positively helps
people make further application of the content
learned inside and outside of academia.
• Art stresses the importance of developing creative
problem solving skills that are critical for success
in our rapidly changing economy.
• Art also fosters the development of learning about
ourselves and those around us.
 • Art is a subject that has no substitute, as the
learning and production of art satisfies a uniquely
human need to communicate and connect with
other human beings. The marriage of art and
society can (and should) be thought of as culture.
• Developing skills in art are necessary because
creativity and design are utilized in every aspect of
the professional world.
 • The arts is hands-on, has immediate rewards,
focuses on positive achievements, develops
concrete products and fosters collaboration. The
arts provide many opportunities for students to
demonstrate their skills through authentic
performance.
• The arts enable children to grow in confidence and learn how to
think positively about themselves and learning. Arts education helps
make learning matter to students by giving them a medium to
connect new knowledge to personal experiences and express what
they have learned to others
• Arts education helps foster a positive culture and climate in
schools. When schools integrate the arts across the curriculum,
disciplinary referrals decrease while effectiveness of instruction
and teachers’ ability to meet the needs of all students increase.
Learning a musical instrument, creating a painting, learning to
dance, or singing in a chorus teaches that taking small steps,
practicing to improve, being persistent, and being patient are
important for children’s growth and improvement.
• Learning an artistic discipline helps young people develop
character. Students learn habits, behaviors and attitudes that are
necessary for success in any field of endeavor
 Learning Theories and Art Education
• Early childhood development provides a base for children to form
who they are as individuals and art curriculum should be based on
principles of respect, responsibility and community through
exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching
environment that follows the interests of the child based from
theories developed.

• Educational opportunities must provide students control over the

direction of their learning.
 • Learning must include methods that allow touching, moving,
listening, seeing, and hearing.
• Learning has a relationship with others and with material items
in the world.
• In order for learning to take place, students must be allowed to
explore.

• Children and adult learners must have endless ways and

opportunities to express themselves.
• Arts education develops creativity, one of the top five skills
employers prize for the 21st century. Students receiving an
arts-rich education perform better on assessments of creativity
than do students receiving little or no arts education.
Performing arts students, for example, show greater flexibility
and adaptability in thinking than their peers.
• Through the arts, children learn to observe, interpret, see
different perspectives, analyze, and synthesize. In a world
where students must frequently wade through a sea of
information to determine which facts are trustworthy and
relevant to a particular topic, critical thinking skills are key to
college readiness and lifelong learning
• Students who participate in the arts develop
leadership skills, including decision-making,
strategy building, planning and reflection. They
also prepare to use these skills effectively by
developing a strong sense of identity and
confidence in their ability to affect the world
around them in meaningful ways.
 There are 5 critical skills students learn through an arts
education.

1. CREATIVITY: In a word full of trained professionals and

highly educated workers, creativity is one of the top skills
that set someone apart from the pack. Of course, being
qualified in your field is important, but having the ability to
think imaginatively and bring fresh ideas to the table are
essential to innovation and progress. Art education allows
students to express themselves and think outside of the box.
 There are 5 critical skills students learn through an arts
education.
2. COLLABORATION: Working together for a common
purpose teaches children that their contribution is important,
which is perfect for the collaborative nature of the arts. By
working collaboratively on a project, students learn to
communicate more effectively, compromise when
necessary, and work hard even if their role may seem small.
All of these skills are vital in any work environment where
teams come together for a common goal
 There are 5 critical skills students learn through an arts
education.
3. CONFIDENCE: The arts create a safe space for students
to explore their talents and build their confidence. Students
who are shy in a normal classroom setting may gain the
assurance to stand up and talk about their artwork. The
sense of pride gained through a finished product encourages
the students to keep trying and striving to accomplish more.
With this confidence, they are more likely to take risks and
step out of their comfort zone to try new things in other
areas of their lives.
 There are 5 critical skills students learn through an arts
education.
4. CULTURAL AWARENESS & EMPATHY: The arts provide a
unique platform to discuss many different cultures, socioeconomic
levels, and current events. Through the arts, students have a place
not only to learn about different cultures than their own, but also to
ask questions and be more informed about the daily struggles and
realities of people who may seem different. By learning about
other people, children are able to develop their ability for empathy,
essential in working with people from all walks of life, and realize
that we have more in common than not.
 There are 5 critical skills students learn through an arts
education.
5. CRITICAL THINKING: When students are making a work of
art, the process includes conceptual and interpretational thinking
that helps build their critical thinking skills including observation,
reasoning, and problem-solving. During the creative process,
children use logic and problem solving to strategize how to reach
their intended outcome. Critical thinking skills are also in play
when observing and analyzing famous works. This ability to think
critically to solve problems in a unique way is key to the 21st
century workplace