The Arts in Schools

The Arts consist of many different facets for creative expression in schools including music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. Each of these categories gives students an opportunity to express their passions and immerse themselves in things other than standard school subjects. There has been heavy debate about the position of the arts in school for many years and the decisions are not always consistent across the country. Articles have been written for and against having the arts in schools and debate has even infiltrated state governments and led to changes in school requirements. The arts have been reduced or completely taken out of schools in order to leave more time for instruction on core subjects such as math, science, reading, etc. If schools do have an arts program, they often receive much less funding than other extracurriculars, like sports. As structured and standardized as schooling across the United States has become, it is a shame that the arts have been put on the back burner when they are such a great outlet for students to show off their special and unique talents.

I first got involved in the arts when I was in elementary school, and have loved them ever since. I did competitive dance outside of school for 10 years, but would also participate in several dance events that were hosted at my school. I performed in several plays and musicals all throughout middle and high school and still enjoy going to the theater to see performances. The arts have always been an outlet for me

Two students perform onstage dressed as Dorothy
 and the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz

to relieve stress and get my mind off of school. My theatre class would always make my day so much better during all of high school when I got to spend time being creative and doing something I was really passionate about. School has become very structured and students need a space to feel safe and accepted and the arts can do that for them. I was never in the band, but I would still attend some of their performances to show them support. The arts are interactive, fun, and teach students lessons that they would otherwise never learn. They are able to build deep relationships with their peers and increase their social skills as well. Even though the arts aren't for everyone, this doesn't mean that they should be removed from schools completely. For some, it is a chance to get experience in a potential career, while others may use it as a way to expand their horizons and gain knowledge about something they are not as comfortable with. The arts are too valuable to keep being pushed aside when there are very few negatives to them, and they provide so many students with a place to call home.