Research shows that art education benefits students academically, socially, and developmentally. Exposure to art education promotes "self-directed learning, improves school attendance, and sharpens critical and creative skills". Additionally, creating art stimulates communication between various parts of the brain which benefits students with fine motor control, reading, writing, and mathematics.
A 2006 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum study on art education showed a link between arts education and improved literacy skills. This study found that students who took part in an art program offered through the Guggenheim Museum, where children were taught to create their own masterpieces, were found to have valuable critical thinking skills while talking about art, which could then be applied to understanding and analyzing literary materials.
Most importantly, art education allows children to express their thoughts, beliefs, and ideas in a creative and non-judgmental way. Art has an important role in therapy as a way to improve and enhance the emotional and mental well being of an individual. Art can also improve one's attention span and increase frustration tolerance by teaching children to work through frustrations.
Please watch this Prezi presentation, courtesy of Kate Crosby
http://prezi.com/64wkotw012s7/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
