Cognitive connections between learning in the arts and benefits in academic achievement

"The arts are an integral part of a complete, successful, and high quality education."

- Putting Arts Education Front and Center, Rod Paige and Mike Huckabee

"The arts can transform the classroom environment, making learning a lively, invigorating experience."

- Eloquent Evidence: Arts at the Core of Learning, NASAA and Arts Education Partnership

There is extensive research and data of student scores to support the statements above and illustrate the benefits in academic achievement from learning in the arts. The reports included below provide commanding evidence to the power of arts education in a student's academic and individual development.

Putting Arts Education Front and Center

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee advocate for arts education as a national initiative to help instill in students "habits of mind that last a life-time: critical analysis skills, the ability to deal with ambiguity and to solve problems, perseverance, and a drive for excellence." Arts education benefits everyone by developing citizens who are productive, creative thinkers ready to compete in the 21st century economy.

Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Education

The Arts Education Partnership second compendium of research in arts education examines the relationship of cognitive capacities developed and used in the arts to students' academic performance, achievement motivations, and social interactions and development. Critical Links points to specific academic and social skills that are affected positively through arts education.

Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement

"Many students find that the arts help them master academic skills" - this finding is quoted from Eloquent Evidence, a report which is now updated and expanded in Critical Evidence. The arts, as serious and rigorous academic subjects, add to the learning experience in multiple beneficial ways, as detailed in this report.

For more information:

CDE - Visual and Performing Arts Framework - Refer to Chapter 1 Guiding Principles of the Framework, which includes requirements for arts education within the California Education Code.

No Subject Left Behind - This guide points out the requirement for arts in No Child Left Behind legislation and where to go for funding.

Americans for the Arts - Leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies - The membership organization that unites, represents, and serves the nation's state and jurisdictional arts agencies.

The San Diego Arts Network - PDF The California Curriculum News Report features an article describing the objectives and process of building a countywide arts network as an infrastructure of support for district leadership to implement arts programs.

Related links:

San Diego Arts Network

Preparing Students for College