Too many students, faculty, administration, and guidance counselors regard the art classes provided by the well qualified Art Department as an easy “A” or the perfect “blow off course.” But, while student sleepwalk though classes that consist of lectures and photo copied work sheets; students in classes such as Art 1, Painting 2, Ceramics, and Advance Drawing are sparking new ideas, evoking new actions, inspiring others, and creating visions.
Art classes can not be considered a frill on the educational system because art is one of the foremost important aspects to our society. Artists challenge our society’s norms and expectations. They promote change and have revolutionized countries, lives, and politics as we know it. So, the label that has been incorrectly stuck to art classes that they are “easy” or that students are “guaranteed an A” is simply false. The standards and consequences are the same as any general education class. Students have just as much of a chance to pass Art 2 as they do to pass Algebra 2.
Students are required to nurture their own self expression, creativity, and imagination during their classes. Student are not told how to think and feel in art class instead they are taught critical thinking and problem solving skills.
During a typical Painting 1 class students are constantly asking questions; whether it is during class critiques, in conversation during studio time, or one on one time with teachers students are reflecting on their or their peer’s art. Is this what I envisioned? What do I like about this? Which part? Can I incorporate this? Should I take that out? The environment of thinking in art class promotes thinking for ones self and coming up with natural and whole ideas.
Such skills that students acquire from creating art allows them to develop their own capacities to weigh meanings, make evaluations, and judgments. Reflection, self-criticism, and eagerness to experiment and learn from mistakes, are all a result of art class and are excellent qualities for a student to possess in order to succeed in any course whether it is in high school, college, or in the workplace. Art class promotes students interest in learning causing students to become life long learners because art allows students to develop meaningful ideas to enhance, celebrate, and most importantly question, each other, communities, and society. Art class gives students a glance into the vast interesting world that they live in, while exploring different cultures, as they submerse themselves in their own.
There is a noticeable trend in the school that has been practiced for too long where students who are not doing well in general education classes are stuck into Art 1 because the thought is that “anyone can pass art.” Not only is this way of thinking untrue but it is insulting to the teachers and students. It causes overpopulation of class rooms, stretches out the already small amount of supplies, and takes away from one on one time between teachers and students. Art classes should be given the same respect that English, math, science, history, and music classes are given.