Coloring Outside of the Lines: The Role of the Arts in Enhancing Education

Abstract

Government officials, educators, scholars, and parents alike have debated the role of the arts in education and how to provide students with consistent and equitable access. This project aims to address the following questions: How does exposure to the arts impact K-12 students' emotional development and academic performance? How do the effects on students differ between arts exposure through public education versus community organizations? 

Initial research revealed that, though the arts can be accessed through public education and supported by government funding, non-profit organizations have more freedom and flexibility to provide arts education that better meets the needs of specific communities and enhances students’ emotional and academic development. In further exploring these questions, an interview with Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s Chair of Visual and Performing Arts revealed that arts access through community organizations requires additional time and transportation, making it inequitable. Service with various organizations in the Pasadena area demonstrated the importance of publicity and community outreach in nonprofit work, while planning and hosting an Improv workshop reinforced that activism and advocacy require time, experience, and careful planning. After completing each stage of the project and compiling further research, it is clear that arts education provided through both curriculum integration and community organizations specializes the student experience and expands access.