K-12 ARTS EDUCATION:WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Washington State Arts Commission

Tacoma Arts Commission – May, 2012

Education focus:

Strengthen K-12 arts education as part of, and fundamental to, basic education.

Mission:

WSAC is a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and

communities throughout the state.

K-12 Arts Education: Why Does it Matter?

Supporting whole-child education Arts knowledge, skills, techniques Connections to other academic learning 21st Century Skills / Habits of Mind

How people learn Brain development, early learning connections Project based and experiential learning

Cultivating demand for the arts Building audiences and supporters

College and Career Ready…

• What should students know?

• What should students be able to do?

• What should students BE LIKE?

Studio Thinking

The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education

By Lois Hetland, Ellen Winner, Shirley Veenema, Kimberly Sheridan

Concerns about “instrumental” claims around the benefits of arts learning

Alternate approach: Looked at “habits of mind” that are developed in studio arts classes

Studio Thinking Framework: Eight Habits of Mind

Develop Craft

Engage & Persist

Envision

Express

Observe

Reflect

Stretch and Explore

Understand Art World

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Core Subjects Interdisciplinary Themes Learning and Innovation Skills Information, Media and Technology Skills Life and Career Skills

www.p21.org

Partnership for 21st Century Skills Learning and Innovation Skills

Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Communication and Collaboration

Partnership for 21st Century Skills Learning and Innovation Skills

Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Communication and Collaboration

“The 4 Cs”

GOOD TEACHING…

…the most powerful predictor of student learning

Student centered: Starts with students’ interests, questions, and prior knowledge

Deeply cognitive: Learning is the consequence of thinking and making work about meaningful, rich, compelling problems, concepts, and ideas

Social: Collaborative activities are more powerful than individualist strategies

Cultivating Demand for the Arts

Cultivating Demand for the Arts The ability to see, hear, and feel what works of art have

to offer

The ability to create within an art form

Historical and cultural knowledge that enriches the understanding of works of art

The ability to draw meaning from works of art through reflection and discussion with others

National and state arts content standards that describe what K–12 students should learn at every grade level

embody just such a comprehensive approach.

THANK YOU!

Lisa JaretArts in Education Program ManagerWashington State Arts Commission

lisa.jaret@arts.wa.gov

www.arts.wa.gov