Breeze Perspectives: The importance of art in the classroom
As an art education student here at JMU, I have had many opportunities to work first hand with art students in local public schools. My belief is that many students do not take art seriously because they do not see its relevance in their everyday lives. Teaching students about the world around them will show them how relevant art is to life.
Every day we are exposed to the manipulative symbols found in the media. By recognizing the power of images, students can address major themes that are pertinent in their contemporary culture. Students must have the awareness needed to make informed choices in their lives, and the art classroom is a perfect environment in which to approach the issues first hand.
The “constructed” culture that we live in is predominantly made up of images because that is the way our society is moving. We eat, sleep and think in images, like the commercials, billboards, logos, the front page of the newspaper and the Starbucks signs on every street corner. Students today need a visual culture component built into the curriculum.
At present, we think “if it doesn’t tell me anything about me then it’s not important.” This Babylonian way of thinking is so common that we now must cater to the egos of the human race. Why can’t learning about the history of a painting be enough? Today, we are only interested in the history of the painting if it affects us in a direct way. Unfortunately, this is why the art lesson is so important to include. Today, showing students a picture of the McDonald’s logo will get more of a reaction out of them than showing them a Michelangelo original.
Creative artists portray concepts, ideas and feelings through art by thinking metaphorically. Knowing how to generate creative ideas in the art classroom will give students a foundation for thinking creatively for life. Therefore, not only is art education crucial in our public schools, but it is also important to discuss our contemporary culture in the art setting. It is needed for the development of students’ cultural awareness.
Those who believe that a class period spent in the art room is a waste of time, I have to ask: Do you think that it is a waste of time for students to explore the issues that they face every day? What about giving them a way to voice their opinions, is that a waste of time?
The art classroom is a healthy environment where students can become knowledgeable about important topics in their culture. Giving students the opportunity to talk and create art about current events and issues in their culture is crucial for their school experience.
I ask you to think about what position you hold on the significance of art education in the public school system.
If you see the importance of students being able to discuss current events and to become informed citizens through means of arts education, help spread awareness of the importance of arts education.
If you see a need for time in the curriculum for student discussion about their daily influences, write to your representative about your thoughts and advocate for a stronger art education program in our public schools.
If you don’t have a good grasp on the importance of the arts in our education system, I urge you to research and become better informed about our public school system and its stance on arts education. There are plenty of resources, such as the National Art Education Association, that speak to the importance of art education.
Contemplate all that would be lost if the art education program was cut from our public schools. Do we want to allow students to graduate from high school completely ignorant of the influences of our visual culture on their lives?
Sarah Brown is a junior studio art major.
