To what extend should art be part of education?

Art has played a crucial role in a society. The complete spectrum of art, ranging between visual arts, music, drama, to literature, has evidently powerfully influenced contemporary society and has been a true reflection of contemporary society as well as protector of culture in all contemporary societies in all contemporary times. Artists, more often than not, serve as challengers to traditionally held beliefs and as innovators in societies. They serve to breakdown several barriers.

Considering such great impact on society, art must become an essential part of education, and especially at the early education stage. Art is known to improve and enhance creative and cognitive skills while stimulating imagination and developing critical thought. Art is also known to have a deep impact on a child’s development and has proven in levelling learning across socio-economic-political borders. Art, more often than not, helps in the development of problem solving abilities, thereby, contributing directly to academic performance and scholastic success. Art refines finer aspects of the human mind, hence, developing craftsmanship in children creating quality consciousness – skills that can be classified as life skills needed to succeed much beyond the classroom. Art also develops in children, articulating, and problem-solving, decision-making, perception formation among other things. It contributes to development of self-confidence and a disciplined approach. It helps them in imagining what might be. It also helps them in completing tasks. Among other things, it also helps in imbibing values, team skills, accepting alternate viewpoints, and respecting cultural differences and various traditions. Art also plays a central role in development of socio-emotional development, motor and cognitive skills, as well as language skills. Art is also known to enhance engagement levels, stimulating memory, and symbolic communication. In essence, art can play a pivotal role in education developing lot of early development skills in school-going children.