Advocacy
Eldon Katter
Ten Talking Points
for Art Education
3. Art education
6. Art education encourages self-
prepares students with discipline and persistence.
marketable skills for
The making of art teaches students
the world of work.
the lessons of discipline, organization,
The study of art develops and hard work.
qualities that employers
say they need in workers. 7. Art education encourages
Students in art classes
the involvement of parents,
learn how to develop
community, and business in the
and deliver a product
schools.
by adhering to high
Art programs bring parents into
standards, engaging in
schools. Every educator knows that
analytical and creative
there is no better way to bring a
thinking, acquiring a dis- child’s education alive for a parent
ciplined approach to the
than to exhibit the students’ prod-
practice and refinement of ucts. Art education programs provide
skills, and working coop- opportunities for partnerships with
eratively in teams.
businesses, cultural institutions, local
artists, and others to educate students
4. An education in art is important
to America’s ability to compete
globally.
Countries with which we compete Searches for ways to trim school budgets often include discussions about elimina- tion of art programs. Wait a and enrich communities.
8. Art teaches young people
about human nature and culture.
minute! Not so fast! The following
ensure that their children have oppor- The quality of civilization can be
tunities to cultivate their utmost talking points can help you make the
measured through its art and architec-
case for the value of art education:
mental, emotional, and technological ture.
capabilities, as well as to refine and
1. Art education nourishes
master manual skills. Increasingly,
9. Art teaches cultural diversity in
creative ability.
twenty-first-century careers require
an increasingly diverse nation.
As the world economy grows more
sophisticated visual understanding.
By studying art, students develop their
competitive, our nation’s future very
Architecture, product design, com-
abilities to think critically, analyze,
much depends on those who have
puter imaging, communications, and weigh meanings, and make judgments
scientific investigations all rely on creative skills. As students engage in
with an open mind and tolerance for
artistic explorations, they learn how
visual training.
diverse opinions.
to find original solutions to problems
and discover innovative techniques.
5. Art education improves student 10. Art is basic to life.
achievement in all areas of the They are informed by risk-taking and
Art is the language of human expres-
use of the imagination.
curriculum.
sion, understanding, and functional-
Art activity has the potential for posi- ity. Art conveys form and meaning
2. Art education fosters useful
tively engaging all students. Through to and from the world around us. We
communication skills.
their explorations and encounters
deal with art every day in such things
In today’s world, images and sounds
with art, students can master a wide
as advertising, architecture, fashion,
combine to form a new language.
range of skills and academic con-
movies, and media.
Complex graphics and fast-paced
cepts. Skills and attributes cultivated
imagery communicate ideas that
through art education—including cre- Eldon Katter is co-author of Explorations
might otherwise be difficult to
ativity, imagination, problem-solving, in Art (Davis Publications) and former
editor of SchoolArts. ekatter@ptd.net.
critical thinking, self-expression and express. We all must learn how to use,
understand, analyze, and judge these
images.
self-esteem—contribute to student
