Why Teach Visual and Performing Arts
ACS is firmly committed to arts education as an integral part of its curriculum. We want to provide our students opportunities to take creative journeys through each these artistic areas. We believe this explorative experience will nurture in our students the skills necessary to develop into creative leaders, able to meet the challenges of the future.
The arts, recognized as the highest expression of culture, inform us of each historical period through its literature, paintings, sculptures, architecture, music, dance, and drama. Today it is recognized that to be truly educated, one must not only learn to appreciate the arts, but must have rich opportunities to actively participate in creative work.
The universal language of the arts cuts through individual differences in culture, educational background, and ability. Arts education is an important means of stimulating creativity in problem solving. It can challenge students' perceptions about their world and about themselves. The arts can bring every subject to life and turn abstractions into concrete reality. Learning through the arts often results in greater academic achievement and higher test scores.
Students who have participated in visual & performing arts activities are less likely to have difficulty speaking in public and are more persuasive in their communications, both written and oral. Many arts activities require self-control and discipline, these skills serve the students well in all aspects of life, helping them to develop confidence and a positive self-image.
Students learn to work together, to find the best way for each member of a group to contribute, and to listen to and respect the contributions of others. Participation in arts education is an important tool for preparing students to live and work in a world that is increasingly team-oriented rather than hierarchical.
In this way Arts Education accomplishes several goals at once; enriching students' school experience while reinforcing traditional academics.
The Art is a SCIENCE. The Art is MATHEMATICAL. The Art is HISTORY. The Art is LANGUAGE ARTS. The Art is BUSINESS. The Art is TECHNOLOGY. The Art is ECONOMICS.
Clearly this process is a highly collaborative one, develops quick-witted spontaneous thinking, problem-solving, poise and presence, concentration, and both conceptual and analytical thinking skills. Exploring the visual and performing arts with students encourages, in fact demands cooperation, compromise and commitment - all skills necessary for any work environment.