Art  Critical Analysis

Art  Critical Analysis

• Before you read, free-write what do you think is the controversy surrounding arts and music in public schools.

The decline of art and music in public schools is currently one of the prominent issues facing the field. This is partially due to cuts in funding by the federal government which has seen schools controversially cutting expenditure to qualified tart and music teachers as well as equipment. Art lessons have been revised to only include theory and history without practical sessions.

• Three facts and opinions from point essay.

Fact: According to a study conducted in 2002, students with a high level of instructional and participation competence in arts have higher academic confidence compared to those with a low level of instructional and participation commitment to art.

Opinion:  It is surprising to see schools, students and parents taking arts and music lightly despite the handy skills they provide learners with. The research showed that art is an important tool that nurtures creativity among students.

Fact: According to research conducted by Shirley rice Heath, a researcher at the Stanford art education provides a multifaceted learning experience that improves the overall competencies of learners. The research involving students participating in 3-hour-minimum art class every week showed for one year showed an improvement in their academic. The students were found to have four hundred per cent higher chances of being recognized for academic achievement, participating in math and science fairs and win an award for easy and poem writing. The students were also found to be three hundred per cent higher chances of being elected to a class leadership position in the school and being recognized for school attendance.

Opinion: Education is an essential system for transfer of not only knowledge but also creative thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for survival and success in any professional and general social life. Art is a neglected tool that offers various unique learning experiences that complement math and sciences.

Fact: A 2006 report on education in California showed that emphasis on reading and math had an unintentional impact on art and other subjects in the curriculum. The quality of art classes and frequency instructional and participation-based activities in public schools have also been found to be highly inconsistent. This has been influenced by low priorities in funding offered to the studies in favour of math and reading instructional materials.

Opinion: The gradual reduction in funding to the art and music department in public schools is a threat to the survival of the subjects. This trend may see the demise of practical and participation classes in this subject in that will only leave history and theory.

• Reflect on which argument on art and music in public schools you access, point, counterpoint or completely different argument. For you, what is the single most compelling argument regarding arts and music in public schools?

Music beauty that has been embraced by human beings across the world as both an art, a source of livelihood and a form of entertainment through its organization as a vocal or sound from instruments. Teaching music is one of the most intriguing processes that need a lot of time and patience from both the student and the instructor. The learning process is not only based on skills but also on the ability to cognitively appreciate music. Music has great uses in society, and student learning music is well developed. It parts credible skills that help the student to develop critical thinking skills. Music training and education is a fundamental aspect of learning, and this makes it essential to school, and the outside world is it as an art, source of entertainment or as a profession.

• (a) Given the reality of the status of education, can schools justify spending money to teach performing to art school students who can’t read?

Yes, art has the potential of cultivating an individual’s “inner eye” with the capability of appreciating art and culture. Despite the inability to read or write, these students are part of the society and thus require to be provided with necessary skills that will help in future. Preforming art enhance an individual’s ability to live conductively with others while acquiring healthy attitudes and rich experience. Drama and other forms of fine arts can help the modern society in dealing with social vices such as terrorism and extremism that are prevalent in the 21st century.

• Is instruction in participating in the arts the same as being taught an appreciation of arts?

No, participating in arts offers students a social context to express themselves though art. The use of visuals in participating arts provides deeper meaning than being taught an appreciation of art.

• Arts instruction in high school is largely a matter of electives, should it be made mandatory to increase participation?

Yes, art should be made mandatory in high schools through introduction of general art units that can be taken by all students. This should not however be implemented to increase participation but to provide students with fine and creative problem-solving skills. Introduction of properly selected common units in art will provide unique platforms for students to express themselves and nurture imaginative thinking (Frey, 2012).

• What is the role of talent in determine whether people participate in the arts?

Talent nurture an individual’s skills in creatively visualizing art and simplify nature using art. According to Edwards (2012), art is a skill that is learned and perfected over time and invokes the logical brain functions. Talent includes innate abilities and interests to learn a particular domain.  According to Brummer (2013), predisposition to these skills often influences individual’s choices in school and career.

• (a) Is low funding for arts education another manifestation of discrimination against the poor in public schools?

Yes. According to García & Elaine Weiss (2017), public schools are associated with students from low social economic status and households. Federal funding in schools with high number of students eligible for FRPL programs has been found to be low relative to the system. This is an indicate of the general inequalities in education funding that is unfavorable to students from low income backgrounds.

• Why should public schools have to choose between effectively teaching the basics and providing arts instruction?

According to Nussbaum, the Human Development paradigm of economic development that is based on opportunities and capabilities that an individual is endowed with ranging from physique, talents, health, and education (Nussbaum). A democratic society requires citizens that not only produce financial profits but can also take an active role in the politics of the country. Humanities produce individuals capable of social commitments and promote the issues of a country by building the capacity to create unique ideas on political matters.

• Is a good thing that participating in the arts for most people means turning on an electronic device e.g. a television or iPod?

No, art is participatory activity that requires active engagement form students and physical interaction with artwork. The fact that some people perceive art as a form of out-of-touch entertainment is a wrong perspective to art in general.

• Does American society at large discount the value of being able to participate actively in the arts, preferring to relegate this to small minority of the exceptionally talented people?

The general perception among citizens that art is an innate talent influences the attitudes towards art. The average American therefore pay less attention to art and leaving a few people to deal in the skill to mastery level.

References

Brummer, C. (2013, February 16). Is Art a Skill Or Talent? Artist Strong. https://www.artiststrong.com/is-art-a-skill-or-talent/

Edwards, B. (2012). Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: The Definitive, 4th Edition. Penguin Publishing Group.

Frey, S. (2012). Art appreciation helps young children learn to think and express ideas. EdSource.

García, E., & Elaine Weiss, E. (2017). Education inequalities at the school starting gate: Gaps, trends, and strategies to address them. Economic Policy Institute.

Nussbaum, Martha C. “Education for Profit, Education for Freedom.” Liberal Education, vol. 95, no. 3, 2009, pp. 6–13.