Taking art classes in high school can benefit students later in life, research says. According to Concordia University, one poll conducted shows that 93% of those surveyed claimed that the arts are crucial for a well-rounded high school education, and 83% surveyed believed that art should be included in the curriculum. Art teacher Carina Rachow claims that art classes can help students in a variety of ways.
“[Art classes] can help [students] appreciate how art affects their everyday lives. It helps them develop good problem solving skills, like what to do and how to do it, and what’s going to be the outcome,” art teacher Carina Rachow said.
Art can help students express themselves who may not have the ability to express themselves in traditional ways. According to a study conducted by PBS, using art can help students with learning disabilities and other disorders, ranging from dyslexia to bipolar disorder. Students who find it hard to focus or communicate verbally often find it easier to express their ideas through art, the research shows.
“[Students] might be like, ‘I really like painting,’ and then instead of having panic attacks, they go home and paint pictures of flowers instead,” senior Haley Fauteux said.
Though some studies show that art can benefit high school students, some schools choose to defund the arts or remove them from the curriculum entirely. Some people, such as those polled by Concordia University, believe that the arts are important for high school students.