Why IS Art Important?

We believe that every student should have the opportunity to take an art class at every grade level. No, not every student will grow up to be “an artist,” but every student benefits from the creative problem solving skills practiced in the art room. In art, students work through the process of creating unique, personal artworks over a period of weeks: planning, creating, and reflecting. Sure, many of our students come to class ready to "be artists" - then there are some who were required to take the class for whatever reason - every year there are always a few who come to art class because it is the only reason they attend school. Art changes lives for the better. We chose to be a middle school art teachers because we want to help all students succeed, and ultimately, we want to live among adults who have an appreciation for the arts, an understanding of the concepts and processes behind making art, and the desire to live in an art-filled world. Without art, humanity would be bland and unsuccessful. Everything around us has been envisioned, designed, developed, enhanced, or inspired by an artist.