The full quote is:
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up?” Pablo Picasso
That’s a good question! Creativity is something that I believe cannot be taught, but it can be nurtured! Moreover, there are many ways to be creative in many facets of our society, not just in the Arts!
I would say that Steve Jobs is creative. Richard Branson is creative. Marketing guru Dan Kennedy is creative. Martha Stewart is creative. However, I would suggest that each of these men and women are from a generation that included Arts Education throughout their school years!
Even though none of the aforementioned folks strap on a guitar, grab a paintbrush, pick up a script, or put on tap shoes, part of why they are where they are is because of their school’s music and arts programs.
Here are 15 reasons why the arts are so important:
1. They are languages that all people speak –that cut across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers and enhance cultural appreciation and awareness.
2. They are symbol systems as important as letters and numbers.
3. They integrate mind, body, and spirit.
4. They provide opportunities for self-expression, bringing the inner world into the outer world of concrete reality.
5. They offer the avenue to “flow states” and peak experiences.
6. They create a seamless connection between motivation, instruction, assessment, and practical application– leading to “deep understanding.”
7. They make it possible to experience processes from beginning to end.
8. They develop both independence and collaboration.
9. They provide immediate feedback and opportunities for reflection.
10. They make it possible to use personal strengths in meaningful ways and to bridge into understanding sometimes difficult abstractions through these strengths.
11. They merge the learning of process and content.
12. They improve academic achievement– enhancing test scores, attitudes, social skills, critical and creative thinking.
13. They exercise and develop higher order thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and “problem-finding.”
14. They are essential components of any alternative assessment program.
15. They provide the means for every student to learn.
Isn’t it worth advocating Arts Programs in every school?
Couldn’t we, as independent business people, artists, CEO’s and Entrepreneurs “create” a way to partner with schools, develop their students, and create a better future?
I’ve got some ideas! How about you?
