Rationale for Arts Education
THE ARTS. ASK FOR MORE is a national arts education public awareness campaign from Americans for the Arts.
The KEEP ARTS IN SCHOOLS website highlights the efforts of arts education organizations throughout the country providing tools and resources to those seeking to make the arts top priority in public schools and communities at-large. Featured are inspiring case studies of successful campaigns of organizations funded by the Ford Foundation.
Download a copy of MAKING A CASE FOR THE ARTS: HOW AND WHY THE ARTS ARE CRITICAL TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND BETTER SCHOOLS.
This advocacy brochure describes the benefits of arts education based on research published by the Arts Education Partnership (2006).
ARTS INTEGRATION FRAMEWORKS, RESEARCH & PRACTICE:
A LITERATURE REVIEW
This literature review covers the research, theories, and methods and practices of arts integration documented between 1995 and 2007 in the U.S. and abroad. It includes an historical overview, definitions and theoretical frameworks for arts integration, research and evaluation studies, as well as methods and practices for each of the art forms. Visit the Arts Education Partnership website to order the document or download a free version.
Download a copy of CRITICAL EVIDENCE: HOW THE ARTS BENEFIT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Arts Education Partnership. This document describes what research says about how study of the arts contributes to academic achievement and student success (2006).
Download a copy of CRITICAL LINKS: LEARNING IN THE ARTS AND STUDENT ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT from the Arts Education Partnership. This publication summarizes 62 research studies that examine the effects of arts learning on students’ social and academic skills (2002).
ANIMAL SCHOOL VIDEO
The website of Raising Small Souls has a beautiful film called Animal School – an allegory about the folly of putting down children’s creativity and ingenuity. Watch the Animal School video on line.
A Whole New Mind: Why Right–Brainers Will Rule the Future
“Gone is the age of left-brain dominance. The future bellows to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: designers, inventors, teachers, storytellers – creative and empathic right-brain thinkers." According to author Daniel Pink, "The keys to success are in developing and cultivating six senses: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning."
The arts allow us to communicate messages, tell stories, and understand the world around us. At all times, but particularly at moments of crisis when we grasp for meaning and guidance, the arts explore and define the essence of the human experience. They hold the power to build understanding and offer alternative ways to communicate our thoughts and express our feelings. We are especially in need of the arts today as people around the world urgently seek to understand and learn from each other.
The following articles can be downloaded and printed.
- Arts Education for a Changing World
- Belief Statements About the Arts
- Comprehensive Arts Education Philosophy and Practice
- The Power and Promise of Theatre Education
