Arts Education For All

All Children Deserve Arts Education:

That's Obvious

YES! That SHOULD be something obvious, and it is! When you ask people if they support arts education in public schools, a majority of people will say "of course". So you support arts education, that's great! But what do you know regarding this issue? This page will give you a run down, about the intricate issues that come with it.

Problem with Arts Education

Many schools over time have been extremely successful in incorporating high-quality arts education into their everyday activities. The types of art mediums that have been offered at schools have greatly diversified and it has helped many children tremendously. Arts have been proven to build self-assurance, self-esteem, and many other positive effects on children. While this is great that many children now are getting the art they need, the schools that offer sufficient arts programs usually are in the more affluent, white populated areas.

All children deserve equal access to arts education, and that simply is not what is happening. Many issues lie within public education, and lack of art programs is one of them, but it is often put on the back-burner of school issues. If a school district cannot afford to pay teachers or get new books, why are they going to worry about bringing in more programs? This is often the case for many government-funded Title I schools, or schools in areas of lower-income- especially within communities of color.

We need sufficient arts education in all schools, regardless of zip code and income in the area. Black and brown children deserve as much attention as their white counterparts because everyone has something to express. Art has always been used as a tool for the invisible to be seen, but it is a whole lot easier if we have schools on board to support their students.

Roots and Background Causes

Capitalism

The United States heavily values individualism within its public sphere, so with that, it is difficult to make arts education "for all". We live in a society where production is valued more than expression and liberation. Schools care most about test scores and achieving academically through math and science. This type of sentiment leads to less attention to the arts and humanities because they do not directly contribute to the production mindset of society.

Prop 13

In regards to California, Proposition 13 was a big dent to social services. This was passed in 1978 under the Reagan administration and it defunded many public schools and other public goods. This directly hurts low-income communities and many people of color because the funding for their communities significantly dropped. While the affluent received a tax break and were happy, this was a direct attack on the funding of arts in public schools.

Racism

Like many other social issues within our country, many disadvantages have risen allowing racism, prejudice, and other sorts of discrimination. Art, in its most prestigious sense, has only been appreciated by white artists. When people of color use art as an expression, it is often not taken seriously. Only when white people adopt a certain art form, even if stolen, then it is taken seriously. For schools, arts education has been used as a privilege only to supplement white students, and it shows.

Possible Solutions

Community Arts

Community arts programs have been a great way for children to participate in art that they enjoy. Many of these programs are also very accessible and at a low cost for the community, but even with that, it is not enough. Many children only are allowed the time they have at school, other obligations might prevent them from participating in extracurriculars as well. As for the cost, the free or reduced-priced programs often lack the performance of other programs. If you want an actual "good" art program, they often cost a decent amount of money, which leaves out children of lower-income from a whole other realm. This is why we need art access within the classroom and for all.

Art Integration

Another alternative that teachers have put together is something called art integration. Arts integration is the engraining of arts into a normal lesson plan, and it is a great way to introduce more engaging and expressive lessons at schools where there is not much art. The teacher uses opportunities to incorporate skits, drawings, painting, monologues, dances, etc. into a lesson instead of an essay or worksheet. This is something small, and not at all a fix to the issue at hand, but it definitely is better than nothing. These little incorporations at least introduce expression and interpretation into the classroom, allowing the child's mind to be freer. This is definitely a step all teachers should take, and the students also tend to appreciate it much more than traditional work.

Example

High School in the Dominican Republic

Although it's not the United States, this example is a perfect representation of art integration, specifically using the themes of social justice and art as resistance (YAY!) This school was able to have a project in their 10th-grade literature class in which they found a social issue they cared about, and expressed the importance through any medium of art. It went from sculptures to film, to monologues, to paintings. In the end, the students had a grown appreciation for art, and many felt a connection to what they made and wanted to do more. This project was a beautiful intersection between art, social justice, education, and expression. See the details at tolerance.org

How to Help!

Donate

Any art centers, schools, programs, etc. that you love or support, definitely need money. Like most things, money is important and can often be the most helpful. Supporting art shows, plays, galleries, showcases, etc. is also a great way to give money while enjoying the art itself.

Volunteer

Your time is also something extremely valuable. If you are an artist, or someone that can help children, then volunteering to help at an art program or a school can be a great thing. Children often remember people who teach them influential things, and art is the perfect thing to grown children's minds.

Make Art

Making your art or helping your niece, cousin, daughter, etc. can also be a great way to engage the children of your life with the world of art. Allowing expression at a young age can make children much more passionate and vocal individuals. Making art for yourself is also important if you need an outlet to just express or feel.

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