The arts are critical for children and how they learn. Doing art, learning about great artists, and exploring different kinds of art medium is what all children should experience in their public schools. It makes a child’s learning complete. Most students love the arts. It motivates them to enjoy school. It also often helps them to do better in other subjects. Best of all, the arts are fun! And children may grow up to be great artists.We never have enough artists if you ask me.
Every child should also have access to a credentialed art teacher. But the arts are in trouble, and credentialed art teachers are not valued. Many schools pay little attention to art programs and some believe that the arts are a frill and unnecessary. Some schools have eliminated their art programs for extra test prep. Yet, while some students have a difficult time academically, they might flourish in the arts.
Angie Villa is an art teacher and blogger from Allentown, Pennsylvania. She also has a beautiful website where she displays student works of art. In this blog entry, Angie has given me permission to re-post an excellent description of what is happening in Allentown. It is Angie’s blog post from October 20. After I read it, I realized what she described is representative of what is happening with the loss of the arts across the country.
If you are a parent, ask yourself this question. Who is teaching art to your child, and how often does your student get to experience the arts?
Thank you Angie!
Try either links. The post is October 20,2013.
http://angievillaartwork.blogspot.com/
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