Every system of education in the world tends to regard numeracy and literacy as much more important than the arts. Politicians and arts interest groups in European countries have long pressed for equal priority for arts education because it aids learning and develops useful skills. While there may be less research conducted regarding art education in African settings, we have compiled various materials to bring forth evidence of the reasons why arts education is important, not for the “art’s sake”, but far beyond in better life outcomes, improved life attainment, and academic outcomes.
The shared publications aim to examine international empirical evidence to establish whether arts participation could lead to improvements in children’s learning and other wider outcomes and to identify arts activities with the best evidence of success.
Below is the list of three research publications that are evidence that arts education affects aspects of children’s growth and broader outcomes:
1: “The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies”
Summary: This study explores the correlation between arts education and academic and social outcomes in at-risk youth. The findings suggest that arts participation is associated with positive academic and behavioural outcomes.
Link: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Arts-At-Risk-Youth.pdf
2: “The Arts and Human Development: Framing a National Research Agenda for the Arts, Lifelong Learning and Individual Well-Being”
Summary: This publication describes how complex human development is and the factors such as interaction with the acts can affect the health and well-being of individuals across the lifespan. Together, these factors yield cognitive and behavioural outcomes that can shape the social and economic circumstances of individuals, their levels of creativity and productivity, and their overall quality of life.
Link:
3: “Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement”
Authors: Sandra S. Ruppert
Summary: This publication provides evidence on how arts education contributes to higher levels of academic achievement, increased motivation, and better social behaviour in students.
These studies provide a comprehensive understanding of the significant impact that arts education can have on children’s overall development and future success. Based on some of the components evidence and research like this, help us shape our intervention and design our responses to meet the urgent needs of young people.
If you have any other publications, please share them with us in the comment sections.
