Why is art important?
Art develops unique “habits of mind.” Harvard’s Project Zero developed the Studio Habits of Mind nearly a decade ago. These habits develop naturally when engaging in art-making. These habits of mind provide art educators with a strong framework outlining the unique skills developed in art class. These habits include the ability to:
Art builds students’ capacity for critical thinking, self-directed learning, and problem-solving. Critical thinking and problem-solving are alive and well in the art room. The process of analyzing and creating art challenges students to develop these skills. Art students are given open-ended problems to solve. This encourages them to think critically to solve problems in their own unique way. These skills transfer to many other areas of life. And they cannot be assessed on a standardized test. Art helps students understand cultures beyond their own. We live in an increasingly global world. It is important for our students to leave school with a broad understanding of the world and its cultures. Art classes expose students to art from all over the world. This exposure helps them understand our shared humanity. The study of art history also helps highlight the issues of the past and the present. Art develops communication skills. When art students analyze an artwork, they use art vocabulary to express their ideas. Discussions about art build students’ capacities to listen to and learn from one another. When a student creates an artwork, they make careful choices to communicate their ideas. And when reflecting about art-making through artist statements, students are further developing these skills. Art activities consistently rank highest on Bloom’s Taxonomy. In art class, we are always engaging our students in these highest levels of thinking. Art students are analyzing, evaluating, and creating every day. High order thinking is naturally present in art classes. Resource The Art of Education |