Why is arts education important in schools?
Fine Arts Advocacy: Why Arts Belong in Every School
In a climate of budget cuts, test score pressure, and shifting educational priorities, arts programs are often the first to go. But reducing or eliminating fine arts in schools is not just shortsighted. It’s a disservice to students and the future of education.
Arts education isn’t an “extra.” It’s essential.
From boosting academic achievement to fostering emotional well-being, the benefits of fine arts are both measurable and transformative. Let’s explore why arts belong in every school, and how you can advocate for them.
What Do We Mean by “Fine Arts”?
Fine arts in education include:
Visual Arts: Drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, design
Performing Arts: Music, dance, theater, choir, band
Media Arts: Film, digital production, animation
These disciplines teach students how to express themselves creatively, collaborate with others, and understand diverse perspectives, skills that are just as critical as math and literacy.
Why Arts Education Matters in Today’s Schools
The impact of fine arts goes far beyond the canvas, stage, or keyboard.
Academic Gains
Students who participate in the arts:
Score higher on standardized tests
Are more likely to graduate
Show improved reading comprehension and math performance
Research by the Arts Education Partnership shows that sustained involvement in arts education is linked to better performance across core subjects.
Cognitive Development
Art stimulates both hemispheres of the brain. Activities like learning an instrument or painting a scene build:
Memory
Focus
Spatial reasoning
Problem-solving ability
Young children who draw or engage in imaginative play also develop stronger language and fine motor skills.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Arts provide a powerful outlet for self-expression and emotional regulation. Through performance, students learn:
Empathy
Confidence
Patience
Perseverance
Arts-rich environments also foster a stronger sense of belonging and classroom community, critical for students navigating stress, trauma, or identity formation.
Cultural Understanding
Art is a universal language. Through studying different genres and traditions, students gain insight into global cultures and historical movements. They learn to:
Appreciate diversity
Challenge stereotypes
Connect with others across boundaries
Bright, swirling colors of paint representing the creativity, diversity, and innovation that arts education brings to every school
The Risk of Losing the Arts
Despite the evidence, many schools are still cutting arts programs. Here’s why:
Budget Cuts
When funding is tight, schools often prioritize “tested” subjects. Arts are mistakenly seen as “non-essential.”
Accountability Pressure
Standardized testing has narrowed curriculum focus. With high-stakes exams in math and reading, arts instruction can feel like a luxury.
Equity Gaps
Low-income schools are disproportionately affected. Students who could benefit most from arts education often have the least access to it.
But removing the arts doesn’t just affect a child’s creativity. It impacts their academic performance, mental health, and future opportunities.
Arts Education = Equity
The arts can help close achievement and opportunity gaps.
In fact, a 2012 NEA study found that low-income students involved in the arts were:
More likely to attend college
More likely to volunteer in their community
More likely to be employed
Students of color, students with disabilities, and English language learners particularly benefit from multimodal expression and culturally responsive art instruction.
The arts give every child a voice, and that’s a powerful equalizer.
How Schools Can Prioritize the Arts
Even in constrained environments, it’s possible to bring arts education back into focus.
1) Integrate Arts Across the Curriculum
Use drawing in science labs or social studies
Stage plays to reenact historical events
Add music or rhythm to math lessons
This approach, sometimes called arts integration, enhances learning in all subjects and doesn’t require separate programs.
2) Partner with Local Artists and Arts Organizations
Invite artists in residence or guest performers
Use community grants to fund performances or workshops
Connect with museums and cultural centers for field trips and exhibitions
3) Offer Professional Development for Teachers
Many general ed teachers feel unequipped to teach art. Training and resources in arts integration can build confidence and spark innovation.
What Educators and Advocates Can Do
You don’t need to be an art teacher to fight for the arts. Here’s how you can support fine arts education in your school:
1) Highlight Student Work
Display student art, host performances, or publish digital portfolios. Let students be the best advocates for why the arts matter.
2) Share the Research
Use data and stories to make the case to your principal, board, or district leadership. Focus on whole-child development and academic growth.
3) Apply for Grants
Explore opportunities through:
The National Endowment for the Arts
State arts councils
Local education foundations
4) Build Coalitions
Partner with parents, PTOs, and community groups. Advocate together for funding and policy changes.
Fine Arts in the Age of STEAM
STEM is vital, but STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) takes innovation further.
Incorporating arts into STEM education:
Encourages creative thinking in science and engineering
Improves design and communication skills
Sparks curiosity through interdisciplinary projects
The arts aren’t a distraction from innovation, they’re its fuel.
Final Thoughts: The Arts Are Not Optional
Arts education isn’t just for students who will grow up to be painters, dancers, or musicians. It’s for future engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. When we provide children with artistic tools, we’re giving them ways to think deeply, feel fully, and imagine boldly. Every student deserves access to that.
Advocacy Starter Checklist
Want to take action? Here’s where to begin:
Review your school’s current arts offerings
Talk to colleagues and parents about their experiences
Attend a school board meeting and speak up
Share research and success stories
Celebrate student work in public forums
Advocating for the arts doesn’t require a megaphone, just a clear voice and a commitment to making space for every child’s creativity.
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