The Lifeline of Arts Education: Why It Matters for High Schoolers

Picture this: Sam is a high school student, and it’s the fall of her senior year when she finds herself struggling to stay engaged with her studies. The spark that once fueled her academic drive has faded. That is until she signs up for the school’s photography program. Now, Sam has a creative outlet and a community of peers who share her passion for artistic expression. Her grades are improving, her attendance increasing, and she plans to study photography in college. Several students, like Sam, find themselves disengaged or uninspired in traditional academic subjects, only to discover their passion and potential through exposure to the arts. For Sam and many students like her, arts education is a lifeline.
With March being Arts Education Month, there is no better time to celebrate the profound impact of robust arts programming in high schools. Students involved in the arts have higher graduation rates, increased academic motivation, improved mental health, and are more likely to pursue higher education. The numbers support this:

Supporting Student Mental Health

Beyond academics, the arts provide invaluable social-emotional benefits, helping students process emotions, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills. Research by the National Endowment for the Arts shows students with high arts involvement scored better on measures of motivation, leadership, and sense of self.

Ensuring Post-Secondary Success

According to the Arts Education Navigator, Arts engagement has also been linked to improved workforce opportunities and job preparedness, as the creative thinking and problem-solving required in art disciplines are highly valued by employers across industries.

Despite the proven benefits, arts education in many schools remains underfunded and understaffed due to budget constraints. Organizations like Skyrocket™ Education Services can help by offering comprehensive arts programming to supplement schools’ existing offerings, as well as art and wellness retreats for staff.
“The arts make us all more fully human and are an essential component of any education. I’ve seen the arts help students find their voice, their identity, and their place in the world,” says Emily Vielma, Arts Program Manager at Skyrocket™ Education Services. “I’ve seen the arts engage the most disconnected, inspire the most unmotivated, and empower countless students to imagine and create more for themselves, their futures, and their communities. Arts education is vital to our students, our schools, and our society.”
Investing in arts education is an investment in our students’ holistic development and long-term success. Dynamic art programs foster creativity, engagement, and the social-emotional skills that will serve students throughout their lives. Are we willing to let our students miss out on the transformative impact of the arts?

Sources:

  • https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Arts-At-Risk-Youth.pdf
  • https://issuu.com/americans4arts/docs/afta_navigator_facts-and-figures

About Skyrocket™:

We partner with schools to provide robust, high-quality arts instruction without straining already limited resources. Connect with our Art & Creative Engagement team at ACEinfo@skyrocket-ed.com today, and let’s create an art experience that re-engages your students.