Arts & Education: 5 Reasons Why It’s Important to All of Us

The School of Ballet Arizona faculty member, Rebecca Needhammer, and students in class. Photo by Brianne Bland.

The importance of the arts is widely recognized, as well as the crucial role they play in children’s development. Here are 5 ways in which research confirms the value of arts education. 

1. Develops Creativity

While some people are blessed with the gift of creativity, it is not exclusively an inherited trait. Like a muscle, it can be strengthened over time. When the arts are incorporated into education, students enjoy more chances to build on their creativity and discover how their ideas can be applied to many areas of life. 

2. Increases Chances of Landing a Better Job

The creativity built through arts education could prove valuable as students eventually enter the job market. According to Americans for the Arts, United States employers highlight creativity as one of the top three personality traits that are integral to career success. Those who build this skill from an early age are more likely to demonstrate elite problem-solving abilities and other transferable skills that are highly valued in today’s competitive workforce.

3. Improves Vocabulary, Communication, And Memory in Young Children

The arts are all about expression. Those who are able to articulate themselves through art may also prove better written and spoken communicators. A notable New York Times piece highlights extensive research suggesting that the arts may enhance memory recall, which, in turn, may further improve vocabulary and communication.

The arts may also help those with already limited communication skills retain concepts that might otherwise be lost. This is best evidenced by a study mentioned in the journal Trends in Neuroscience and Education, in which students who struggled with reading remembered more when their lessons integrated arts education methods.

4. Helps Students Succeed in Other Subjects

Research published in the Journal of Educational Psychology ties musical training to later achievement in math, with both drawing heavily on patterns and proportional thinking. The benefits don’t end there, however! Experts believe that students who train extensively in the arts are better able to build the executive functioning and creative skills necessary for success in a variety of other subjects.

5. Practice Leadership Skills

Artists are leaders. Through arts education, students can build the confidence needed to succeed in a variety of leadership roles. Effective leadership involves far more than sheer confidence, however. The arts also help students become better collaborators and team players.