Artists may encounter a creative streak and go on to create a masterpiece, dancers must be creative to express themselves through their movement. Musicians have to be creative in order to write a piece of music that has never been done before. Actors use their creativity to help build a character to the best they can be. Due to the creativity that art boosts, kids have shown improved confidence (Smith), self-worth, social development, and personality adjustment when they participate in art ("11 Facts About Arts in Education."). The arts help kids socially and emotionally (Fegley). Socially, art helps kids become more confident in themselves (Smith). For example, a shy student who performs on stage for a school play may be nervous, but afterwards will gain a sense of confidence because he or she realized they were able to do something big, that they thought they could not do before. Emotionally, the arts help kids to be able to express themselves in a productive way (Davis). Michael Yessian, an arts activist in Detroit, Michigan, described what he wants for kids to get out of the arts, “‘If I can help to pave the way so that these students can discover their unique creative outlets and cultivate their individual talents, I know I will have made a lasting difference in their lives’” (Dybis). Dancing, music, theatre, or visual art allows a child to put themselves and how they are feeling into the activity. This creative outlet …show more content…
With Common Core taking hold, the arts are becoming neglected because they are seen as unimportant compared to core subjects such as reading and math. Despite this belief, the arts can actually have a huge impact on how a student performs academically. Studies show that students who have an arts education are four times more likely to receive academic recognition (Lynch). This is because art boosts a student’s critical thinking skills ("11 Facts About Arts in Education."), motivation and discipline (Venable). In addition, it can also be used as a reform tool to help them learn. Many schools are using arts as an incentive by doing things like, making students produce and perform a play about a topic they are learning, such as slavery, or using music as a way to explain fractions. Some schools are even going as far as playing Mozart in the hallways because of the focus it can initiate (Smith). The arts require concentration and when a student learns this, it transfers to their overall focus and attention in their schooling