blog 6 - artsy fartsy

Discuss the importance of teaching art as a core subject. Why is it important to ensure that there is time set aside in the curriculum, resources (teachers with art background, supplies, community resources) and space provided for art as a separate subject?

Art should be treated as an essential core subject because it offers a holistic approach to education and learning itself. Learning in art offers the cohesion that is not available in other ways. Art has many diverse outlets and practical applications, and is considerably more fun for most learners. Art has the ability to transform abstract concepts into concrete forms and illustrations. For many learners, having something they can see or touch is much more relevant than a textbook or dictation. It is very important that these learners are not left behind, or written off as slow or uncommitted, because in reality they’re learning drives have not been engaged properly. There should be a supplement of art in all curriculums, not only to meet the needs of those learners who struggle with the traditional methods, but also to enrich the learning of the entire classroom. Within the art room, so much besides art is learned. The students get to create, and explore their own ideas. Art, unlike some subjects, can become completely learner oriented. Mathematics comes nowhere near this concept. The artist is able to find a passion within art that is specific to (him/her)self and develop a single idea or content for years, or experiment with many ideas and concepts at once or in progression. Art has the ability to be incredibly diverse as well as incredibly focused, individual and communal, private or public, traditional or innovative.

Although art can be tied into all other curricula, it requires its own specific materials in order to be a success. Art requires its own set of materials, its own environment, as much as science requires laboratories and microscopes, as much as mathematics requires calculators. Art classes will never be successful without the proper instruction, materials, and practical time. Incorporating art principles into the classroom is a quick and easy fix, but if earnest art education is going to be the goal, than an art room chalk full of supplies is the only option.