Art-Based Education

September 22, 2021 0 By Emily Hanson

Arts-based education is often forgotten about in the curriculum. In many different schools around the world art is pushed aside or forgotten for the stereotype of one can not have a “real career” or one will go nowhere in life with art. This is why subjects that are seen as “more important” as math or science have more funding and resources given in the school systems. However art is just as important as all the other subjects and can be used in every aspect of one life. Art is also a tool that young students can use to express their feelings. Sometimes at a younger stage of one’s life they are not always able to explain or have the words to explain how they are feeling. Art can be used as a tool for students to explain how they are feeling without having to use words. Teachers can learn a lot from students’ art work. Art can also be used as a tool for students to express who they really are. Just these two points show how important art-based education is and why school curriculum needs to put more singiance on the topic. 

Growing up as a child I was one of the childrens who fell under the side of being better at subjects that were more art based. As a result of this I often felt not as smart as my peers because I was not good at the subjects that the importance was put on. In my high school I had amazing teachers that showed me that my strengths were just as important as everyone else but I really wished I had those teachers in elementary school because I think this would have really positively impacted my self esteem growing up. I did not gain the confidence of who I am today until I had those high school teachers show me.

In Avril Aitken article “The Arts in Curriculum: Aesthetics, Embodiment and well-being” there is a quote on page four stating “power of the arts for igniting important conversations that would have otherwise been missed” ( Avril Aitken, p.4). I believe this is a very powerful quote to suggest how important art is. When art is introduced into subjects it gets kids to be creative and to ask questions they would not normally ask if they were just getting a lecture about a subject. Art creates an open ended learning experience that creates wonderful conversations. Art gives children a voice they might not be given in other subjects. 

Article: https://jcacs.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jcacs/article/view/40370/36373

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About The Author

My name is Emily Hanson. I am 19 years old, and I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. I attended High school at Luther College High School, in Regina, as did my family members before me. I live with my mom and dad, along with my younger brother who I am very close with, who is in grade 12 at Luther. This is my second year at the University of Regina, however my first semester in Education. I was majoring in psychology before. I have worked at the YMCA for the past two and half years, and love it there. At the YMCA I work with kids, teaching them a different variety of skills in different classes. This has sparked my love for kids and teaching. Along with the YMCA, I work the weekends at the Cougars Hockey games. My mom is a teacher, and from time to time I come and help in her classroom. She was the one who suggested to me that I should switch the education. My goal is to finish my education degree and work as a teacher for awhile, then eventually get my masters in psychology, so I can become an Educational Psychologist. My hobbies/passions in life are painting, drawing, playing the drums, music, along with hanging out with family and friends, and travelling. My favourite place I have traveled to has been El Salvador. Ever since I left that beautiful country I have wanted to go back. I have always had a love of art and in my spare time, which is not a lot in university, I usually spend it drawing or painting. I have learned to play the piano, guitar, and I am now on the drums which I find is really what I am good at. Music is a big part of my life for I am always listening to it, and you can usually find me after work on the weekend at a concert, or one of my friends’ shows, that are in bands. Also three close friends of mine and I plan and put on a music event called Exposure, where we give a platform for local artist to perform. We have held two so far and are already in the early stages of planing another Exposure.

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