What good are the arts?

The arts are a vital aspect of student learning and development, and should be infused throughout the curriculum to achieve a more holistic learning experience and the emergence of higher order thinking skills. Research shows that an integrated arts curriculum produces higher student achievement in areas such as critical thinking, emotional wellbeing, self-expression and problem solving (Jay, 1999; Gibson & Ewing, 2011). The arts provide a way for students to access content from other key learning areas (KLAs), as well as learning the specific skills which relate only to the arts. With the new national curriculum soon being implemented (ACARA, 2013), it is more important now than ever to promote an integrated approach to the arts within this somewhat crowded curriculum (Lemon & Garvis, 2013) and for teachers to understand the extensive benefits the arts bring to a classroom. When content is explored in a holistic way, there is much more relevance to students' lives, which leads to more meaningful learning (Gibson & Ewing, 2011). The arts can also help teachers to assess students' understandings of content areas, allowing for them to adjust teaching accordingly.



While there are proven benefits that relate to academic performance in the 'traditional' subject areas - mathematics, literacy, science (Jay, 1999) - we mustn't forget the importance of the arts in and of themselves in assisting students to become well-rounded, creative and expressive people (Gibson & Ewing, 2011).


References

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2013). Revised draft Australian curriculum: The arts foundation to year 10. Retrieved April 14, 2014 from http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Draft_Arts_Curriculum _22_February_2013.pdf

Jay, L. (1999). Dancing through life: A rationale for arts education. (Order No. 1397398, University of Hawai'i). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Chapter 2, pp.9-27.

Lemon, N., & Garvis, S. (2013). What is the Role of the Arts in a Primary School?: An Investigation of Perceptions of Pre-Service Teachers in Australia. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38(9). 

Gibson, R., & Ewing, R. (2011). Transforming the curriculum through the arts. South Yarra, Victoria: Palgrave MacMillan.