Advocating the Fine ArtsThe Importance of the Practical, Musical, Theater and Visual Fine Arts in Your Childs LifeTrue Note Music Studios January, 2011

Raisin Brahms sez:

Fine Arts Education contributes to:Increased Test ScoresCreative Problem Solving SkillsSource: AmericansfortheArts.org

Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts. This is the opening statement of The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles, a document from the nations ten most important educational organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators, the National Education Association, the National Parent Teacher Association, and the National School Boards Association.

Fine Arts Education contributes to:Success in societySuccess in schoolSuccess in developing intelligenceSuccess in lifeSource: Childrensmusicworkshop.com

Success in societyData show that high earnings are not just associated with people who have high technical skills. In fact, mastery of the arts and humanities is just as closely correlated with high earnings, and, according to our analysis, that will continue to be true. History, music, drawing, and painting, and economics will give our students an edge just as surely as math and science will.Tough Choices or Tough Times: The report of the new Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, 2007

Success in schoolStudents in high-quality school music programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district. Students in top-quality music programs scored 22% better in English and 20% better in math than students in deficient music programs. Students at schools with excellent music programs had higher English and math test scores across the countrythan students in schools with low-quality music programs. Students in all regions with lower-quality instrumental programs scored higher in English and math than students who had no music at all.Christopher M. Johnson and Jenny E. Memmott, Journalof Research in Music Education, 2006

Success in developing intelligenceA 2004 Stanford University study showed that masteringa musical instrument improves the way the humanbrain processes parts of spoken language. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), researchers also discovered that musical training helps the brain work more efficiently in distinguishing split-seconddifferences between rapidly changing sounds that areessential to processing language Prof. John Gabrieli, associate director of MITs Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging.

Success in lifeSecondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs). Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle, January 1998

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, adistraction, in the life of the nation, is close to the centerof a nation's purpose - and is a test to the quality ofa nation's civilization. President John F. Kennedy

the point of teaching this subject is not to teach about the arts, but to teach THROUGH the arts. Teaching through the arts requires students to engage in the act of creative art Teaching through the arts helps students experience concepts rather than simply discussing or reading them. This approach is consistent with educational theories that highlight the importance of reaching multiple learning styles or intelligences. (Jacobs, 1999)

Communication SkillsThe performance arts help to develop confidence that is essential to speaking clearly, lucidly and thoughtfully. Students learn to become comfortable in front of large groups.a. Musical and Theatrical performancesb. Explaining and elucidating ones own creation

Creative Problem Solving SkillsThe Arts teach students to think on their feet, identify problems, evaluate a range of options and implement solutionsa. Material and other medium combinations (visual arts)b. Musical and theatrical performance

MotivationInvolvement in the Arts demands commitment and motivation. This attribute typically transfers from the Arts to other classes and jobs.a. Practice and rehearsal timeb. Blood and sweat visual and performanceWorking Cooperatively/Esprit de corpsThe Arts constantly demand collaboration!a. Music and Theatre Ensemblesb. Visual art teamingc. Practical arts working units

Working IndependentlyThe Arts frequently necessitates working without direct supervision this foster self starters or initiators.a. Practice, practice, practiceb. Confidence, dedication and self-worthLeadershipArts, especially in performance, creates many opportunities for students to assume leadership roles and receive consistent traininga. Lead rolesb. Principal/ 1st chair players

Fine Arts Education develops lasting life skills: Respect for Deadlines Fast Learning Flexibility Working Under Pressure Healthy Self-Image Acceptance of Disappointment Self-Discipline and a Goal-Oriented Approach Self-Confidence

Study of the arts encourages a suppleness of the mind, a toleration for ambiguity, a taste for nuance, and the ability to make trade-offs among alternative courses of action. Study of the arts helps students to think and work across traditional disciplines. They learn both to integrate knowledge and to "think outside the box." An education in the arts teaches student how to work together cooperatively. An education in the arts builds an understanding of diversity and the multi-cultural dimensions of our world. An arts education insists on the value of content, which helps students understand "quality" as a key value. An arts education contributes to technological competence.. Source: Principals Partnership Association

An Auburn University study found significant increases in overall self-concept of at-risk children participating in an arts program that included music, movement, dramatics and art, as measured by the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. N.H. Barry, Project ARISE: Meeting the needs of disadvantaged students through the arts, Auburn University, 1992

Students Enrolled in Fine Arts Courses Score Higheron the SAT than those with no Fine Arts CourseworkSource: Texas Music Educators Association

How does Guerins Fine Arts focus stated objectives and implemented programs compared to other area high schools fine arts programs?

62.5% were low income students. 5.2% were Special Education students. 0.2% were Limited English Learners. LANE TECH Fine Arts Statement and (2009-2010)As of 2009-2010, there were 4183 students enrolled at Lane Tech High School, Chicago, IL.43.2%% were Hispanic. 30.5% were White.

LANE TECH Fine Arts Department Mission Statement and Implemented Programs (2009-2010)

Lanes mission is to optimize the college prep experience, establish an environment of mutual respect, empower students to take responsibility for their learning, build relationships with parents, and improve services for special needs students.

The Fine Arts Department includes: Band/Orchestra, Choir/Chorus, Drama, Mixed Media, Musicals, Painting, Percussion, Photography, Theater, Dance, Violin/Strings/Orchestra.

About 73% of the students are involved in some type of these extracurriculars97.9% of parents report satisfaction with opportunity for involvement in the school

The Fine Arts Department would like to thank you for your continued support!HOYT/2011

Many of us, as a Guerin Community, would agree that the Arts are important, but with what is happening in our larger educational community, we would like to explain in a nutshell why the Arts are important and maybe figure out the disconnect between educational initiatives and extreme budget and program cuts.

**First, lets start with why the Fine Arts are so important, both to us as a higher educational community and to the students we serve. We all feel an affinity for the fine arts but how does that translate into tangible benefits for our students? *Music programs in the schools help our kids and communities in real and substantial ways. The benefits of music education are based on a growing body of convincing research. (see attached pdf see what youd like to use and I will add in handout). Bill Clinton expressed it best when he said: Music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and, by studying music in school, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective." All fine arts education contributes to childrens ability to learn, interact, build self-esteem and succeed.

******As the United States finds itself in increasing competition for a place at the worldwide economics table, it becomes imperative for our educational institutions to furnish students with an education that is more than rote in nature, but that becomes fluid and adaptive in practice. Fine arts education contributes to this.*Students of the arts continue to outperform their non-arts peers on the SAT, according to reportsby the College Entrance Examination Board. Data from the College Board, Profile of College-Bound Seniors National Reports from 2006-2009 show that students enrolled in fine arts coursesscore from 11 to 13% higher than students not enrolled in any fine arts courses.Ultimately, it is about our students. Fine Arts Education works!**Band/Orchestra, Choir/Chorus, Drama, Mixed Media, Musicals, Painting, Percussion, Photography, Theater, Dance, Violin/Strings

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