Four Ways Arts Education Creates Future Leaders
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Neve Spicer, Chief Editor,WeTheParents.org
While we often think of science, tech, and engineering classes as some of the most educationally significant in terms of skill-building, opportunities for personal growth don’t stop there -- in fact, research has demonstrated that the time our children spend studying the arts can be just as relevant to their future skill sets.
Sponsored by Americans for the Arts, National Arts in Education Week, which takes place this September 12th-18th, aims to educate parents, teachers, entrepreneurs, and students on the diverse benefits of arts education. A well-rounded education that includes focus on the arts can help our kids to discover their talents, engage with new perspectives, and gain important leadership skills that will make them more effective in both the classroom and the workplace.
Some of these skills include:
- Improved self-esteem: Being an effective leader begins with believing in yourself, and participation in art classes is linked with helping kids do just that. Studying art skills in a classroom environment is associated with boosts to confidence and self-esteem. (source)
- Increased creativity: Tough problems often require creative solutions -- this demands leadership that can think outside the box in order to get things done effectively without relying on dated or ineffective paradigms. Instrumental training, art education, and dance are all linked to enhanced creative skill. (source)
- Ability to collaborate effectively: A leader who can’t effectively collaborate with their team is a leader who is not fit for their position; the ability to cooperate with others, value their ideas, and take their criticisms is essential. Participation in art classes has been shown to help children collaborate with others more effectively. (source)
- Use of accountability: It’s difficult to take someone seriously when they won’t own up to their mistakes -- this is doubly true when the person shirking responsibility is supposed to be in charge. Good leaders are accountable when they make mistakes, which is a skill children gain through arts education. (source)
To learn more about National Arts in Education Week, visit Americans for the Arts online.
