Alanna Russell

November 11, 2017

The 337-01

Microtheme
“The Case: Art Education Outcomes”

There are many positive academic outcomes of art education as discussed in the article.

Student achievement is much higher for students who participate in some sort of program

whether that be theater arts, music, or any sort of art program. Student motivation and

engagement is much higher for students who are involved in the arts. Students are much more

likely to attend class and they are much more likely to be motivated to meet their goals in the

academic setting with focused attention. Students are also more likely to create habits that will

push them to excel in school including critical thinking skills and working well with others.

Being able to work well with a team is crucial to ones academic achievement and participating in

the arts helps with that especially when working on a performance that requires all participants to

be fully engaged.

All of these positive academic outcomes completely justify the presence of arts education

or integration into the classroom. Whether it be that students are fully engaged in a theater

program, music orchestra, or an art class they are fully engaged in learning about the world.

Participating in the arts opens student’s minds up not only in the classroom but it broadens their

worldview. Being able to act out or learn from someone who came before you through an art

piece or through a scene from a play is a full enrichment for a student. Not only is their mind

opened, they get to create friendships they otherwise would not have had. Being around peers

who share a common interest in the arts can help with socialization and teamwork skills that are

needed later in life. I believe that the presence of arts education or integration into the classroom
needs to be the norm for schools because it honestly just makes learning a lot more fun. Students

who want to learn are more likely to absorb the information being taught to them in a creative

way.

Some of the non-academic benefits of art education that the paper discuss are “decreased

delinquency and drug use, increased self-esteem, and more positive interactions with peers and

adults”. Students who are involved with something that keeps them occupied with doing

something productive with their minds are far less likely to end up doing something they might

regret later on. The confidence it gives to students to know they have achieved something that

can better themselves and society is a feeling like no other and it is enough motivation to keep

them from being pressured to impressing their peers with things like drugs or crime.

From reading this excerpt it just further confirmed to me that art programs are a huge

benefit for students and in the classrooms. They broaden their world and give them the

confidence to be happy with their achievements. This information given to me through the

reading motivates me even more to push for art education in schools. Becoming a teacher who

uses art education in the classroom is something I hope I can do one day.