The Arts Will Help School Accountability

Commentary by Mariale Hardiman

Comments

The Art Benefit
Gayle Roege

3/27/2011 7:02:14 PM

 In a time when innovative and creative thinking are paramount to a society that can survive new global pressures, integrating the arts in meaningful ways with other disciplines is essential. Even as most educators acknowledge the arts' benefits to students emotionally, socially, and cognitively, we resist making them a meaningful part of the school experience. As an artist and teacher, I have observed the difference art can make for students, and now, as stated in the article, the research supports those observations. With all the anxiety over accountability, infusing the arts into the everyday curriculum can be the answer to the achievement woes we are facing. Children are happier, more engaged, and the synergystic right-left brain activity is more conducive to creativity. Daniel Pink says right-brainers will rule the future, but those who will really thrive, according to Pink, will be those with androgynous minds. It IS possible; we just need to take that first step. That means thinking creatively about how to encourage thinking creatively.

Art, the brain and sleep
Dr. Lynda Kerr

11/1/2010 5:16:17 PM

 It's anecdotal, but if, after teaching art to at risk students all day in the stressful environment of a low performing suburban Atlanta high school, I create artwork in the evening, I always sleep better.