Music. Art. Literature. Dance

The visual arts provoke creativity among all students. They provide a foundation for change and improvement. It allows students to fail but yet learn from their mistakes. "Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through participation in the arts." Albert Einsten once said, "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."

Arts education is important in more ways than one and it is crucial to keep it in public schools. Why should you take out courses that are beneficial to students' learning abilities? What advantages come from removing music or dance or art away from public schools? How do the arts interfere with students' successes? The last time I checked, the arts provided a safe environment for students that allows them to feel more at ease. Students are able to get lost in the music or their paintings and are able to be themselves freely without someone breathing down their neck, watching their every move.

The arts stimulate more in students that STEM could ever possibly do. While, yes, science and math and the inbetweeners are important for students' education, so is giving them the chance to express themselves. Instead of calculating what 'a' is in the following equation, 264a+2=798, students can be playing piano or designing floor plans for a future house they wish to someday build.

Dance, music, and visual arts can also help to reduce stress levels of low-income students (those living in poverty). Poverty is associated with alleviated stress levels. Some studies have shown that lessons within the arts reduce this stress among young kids. Obviously, it is clear that the arts serve to effectively help our kids both mentally and emotionally. They can stimulate them physically, too, (i.e., dancing, playing musical instruments, etc.).

So to our dearest educators, lawmakers, policymakers, and whomever else, please do not remove the arts from our public schools! It is beneficial to our student's creativity and achievement, whether you think so or not. Just because times get tough and you have to make decisions on which programs to cut, that doesn't mean you should go after the arts. Most of you who make these kinds of decisions have never taught in public schools, or schools for that matter. You haven't seen the innovation and individuality that comes from students who are in arts programs. In an issue brief from the National Governor's Association, studies have shown that students who study the arts are “four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair, three times more likely to win an award for school attendance and four times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem. These skills and achievements are necessary to gain the upper hand in today’s competitive workforce.

Everyone needs a place where they feel they belong, can relax and be themselves. If you learn to be emotionally present at a young age, you will grow up to be a healthy participant in the ensemble that is the world.”

Before you dismantle arts education, think about the lives of students you are affecting; think about the kids who won't be able to join a band program or the ones who won't be able to express their creativity while trying to paint their version of Starry Night. You have no idea who you are hindering from becoming the next Vincent Van Gogh, Stevie Nicks or Lynn Nottage.