LDH Portfolio

What We Should Know About Art Education & Why It Is Essential

1. Art Builds Emotional Intelligence
• “Art is a language of emotion.” – Kandinsky
Art allows individuals to express feelings and understand others’ emotions more deeply. It encourages empathy, helping students to navigate emotional landscapes by externalizing inner thoughts.

Sources:

  • Kandinsky, W. (1914). Concerning the Spiritual in Art. New York: Dover Publications.
  • Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books.

2. Art Enhances Problem-Solving Skills
• “The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” – Neil Gaiman
Through art, students learn to think critically and find innovative solutions to challenges. Art fosters a mindset of exploration and resilience in the face of creative obstacles.

Sources:

  • Gaiman, N. (2012). Make Good Art. New York: William Morrow.
  • Robinson, K. (2011). Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative. Oxford: Capstone Publishing.

3. Art Fosters Cultural Awareness
• “Art is the signature of civilizations.” – Beverly Sills
Engaging in diverse art forms helps students appreciate different cultures and histories. It serves as a bridge between communities, allowing for the exploration of various perspectives and traditions.

Sources:

  • Sills, B. (2007). The Power of the Arts in Civilizations. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Dewhurst, M. (2014). Social Justice Art: A Framework for Activist Art Pedagogy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.

4. Art Encourages Lifelong Learning
• “Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Art education teaches that learning is an ongoing journey. It encourages curiosity and a passion for continual self-improvement, whether as an artist or a lifelong learner.

Sources:

  • Emerson, R. W. (1857). The Conduct of Life. Boston: Ticknor and Fields.
  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. New York: HarperCollins.

5. Art Promotes Collaboration and Communication
• “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Creating art often involves teamwork and sharing ideas. It develops students’ abilities to work with others, communicate effectively, and build on collective strengths.

Sources:

  • Keller, H. (1957). The Open Door. New York: Doubleday.
  • Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2010). Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard. New York: Broadway Books.

6. Art Develops Motor Skills and Precision
• “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse
From handling brushes to crafting sculptures, art education refines fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It challenges students to practice precision and patience.

Sources:

  • Matisse, H. (1942). Notes of a Painter. Paris: Gallimard.
  • Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.

7. Art Encourages Self-Expression and Identity Formation
• “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton
Through artistic practice, students can explore their personal identities, expressing who they are and how they perceive the world. This contributes to building confidence and self-awareness.

Sources:

  • Merton, T. (1955). No Man Is an Island. New York: Harcourt, Brace.
  • Eisner, E. W. (2002). The Arts and the Creation of Mind. New Haven: Yale University Press.

8. Art Strengthens Focus and Perseverance
• “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso
Art projects often require sustained attention and dedication. Students learn to focus for extended periods, persevere through challenges, and experience the reward of completing meaningful work.

Sources:

  • Picasso, P. (1935). Conversations with Artists. New York: Penguin Classics.
  • Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. New York: Scribner.

9. Art Teaches Adaptability and Flexibility
• “Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” – Pablo Picasso
Art requires the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Students learn to pivot creatively, see mistakes as opportunities, and develop resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Sources:

  • Picasso, P. (1944). Picasso on Art: A Selection of Views. New York: Viking Press.
  • Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Random House.

10. Art is a Universal Language
• “Art speaks where words are unable to explain.” – Mathiole
Art transcends barriers of language, geography, and culture. It allows people to communicate complex emotions, stories, and experiences across generations and diverse communities.

Sources:

  • Mathiole. (2010). Art Speaks: A Journey Through Visual Communication. Los Angeles: Artivist Publishing.
  • McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. New York: McGraw-Hill.