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Curriculum Issues: Fine Arts Education

Alexis M. DeAngelis

Tricia Ryan, Instructor

Using Information Effectively in Education (ISTC 201)

November 30, 2004

Outline

I.                    Introduction

a.       definition of fine arts education

b.      examples of student growth

c.       guidelines for teachers in regards to curriculum

d.      theories of fine arts

II.            Advantages of fine arts in education

a.       different areas of fine arts

b.      advantages of each method (dance, theater, music, and visual arts)

c.       performance-based tests

III.               Dance

a.       definition of dance education

b.      affect on student participation

c.       values gained by students that can be used in other academic settings

IV.              Theater/Drama

a.       definition of theater education

b.      student capability and competence (increase)

c.       values gained by students that can be used in other academic settings

V.                 Music

a.       definition of music education

b.      areas in which students improve in other classes

c.       musically enhanced personality

VI.              Visual Arts

a.       definition of visual arts education

b.      increase of visual senses

c.       application in all academic settings

VII.            School Implication

a.       why schools should include fine arts education

b.      reasons why they don’t (cost, etc.)

VIII.         Conclusion

a.       closing ideas on fine arts education and implementation

b.      restate thesis statement 

Introduction to Fine Arts Education

            Fine arts education is an extremely important aspect of school curriculum.  Curriculum is essentially the basis of education.  “In its organizational aspect the curriculum is an authoritative prescription for the course of study of a school or system of schools.  In their traditional form, such prescriptions set out the content to be covered at a grade level or in a course or sequences of courses, along with recommended or prescribed methods of teaching” (Guthrie, 2003).  Curriculum thus encompasses a wide variety of styles, methods, and areas of education.
            Fine arts include the artistic domains of dance, theater, music, and visual arts.  Each of these disciplines is uniquely different, helping students grasp techniques and knowledge, which can be applied in all areas of life and education.  “All four fine arts curricula do provide opportunities for growth in three common areas of learning [for students]: personal, social, cultural, and historical contexts; knowledge, skills, and techniques; and creating, expressing, perceiving, and responding” (Ministry of Education, 1998).  Teachers of the fine arts also have three areas of concentration.  “Coursework in three major areas of the fine arts knowledge base seems integral to the aesthetic learning of teachers: (1) the creation and expression of ideas through the study of different art media, (2) an understanding of means of aesthetic and critical inquiry, and (3) an awareness of the historical and cultural significance of art works” (Murray, 1996). 
            As a majority, we agree that fine arts education is essential to the development and education of children.  The theories that our society has developed agree that fine arts education is critical in the education of our children.  The purpose of this research paper is to explore ways in which fine arts can be used in the school curriculum to encourage creativity and motivate students to learn.

Advantages of the Fine Arts in Education

            As previously stated, the fine arts in relation to education are broken up into four categories: dance, theater/drama, music, and visual arts.  Each of these areas provides the student different advantages which can be implemented into all other academic classes.  “Recent studies prove that integrating the arts into education enhances a student's development and performance. Students learning through the arts are more able to think at a higher level, collaborate with their peers, and score higher on standardized tests” (AATE, 2003).
            Dance is a key aspect of the fine arts.  “Dance in education uses dance to help students understand basic concepts taught in other mainstream subjects . . . Dance education explores body movement, instilling in the process, creative thinking in the child” (Rodgers, 2004).  Dance also helps children to gain self-confidence because they learn techniques and are able to perform them.  Theater also educates students with memorization and performance skills.  “Linking live theatre with students is an excellent way to develop students cultural identity, strengthen ties to the community and improve student learning” (AATE, 2003).  Music in education is also a highly valued discipline.  “The benefits conveyed by music education can be grouped in four categories: success in society, success in school, success in developing intelligence, and success in life” (MENC, 2003).  Finally, visual arts is an essential element of fine arts in application to other academics.  It helps with perception, production, knowledge, communication, evaluation, and connection.  “Visual arts education is a multifaceted creative process. It includes the development of perceptual awareness and the ability to use materials expressively. In addition, creative and critical thinking are taught and identified as: generative, imaginative, metaphorical, analytical, synthetic, and collaborative” (NCPS, 2004).
            The main evaluation that teachers use to assess students in fine art classes in school is performance-based tests.  These tests vary from each area, and judge different aspects within the discipline.  In all areas of fine arts, performance-based tests require the student to physically demonstrate his or her abilities to the instructor. 

Dance

        One area of fine arts education is dance.  “Dance is the art of gesture and movement. It transforms images, ideas, and feelings into sequences that are personally and socially significant. Dance organizes physical energy within time and space, and may draw from the power of music, literature, drama, and the visual arts. It is a natural means of communication and expression that integrates movement, feeling, and intellect” (Ministry of Education, 1998).  Dance in education can have a myriad of positive effects on students.  Skills and abilities learned in a dance classroom can also be applied to all academic settings.  It teaches you how to work in groups as well as individually, driving you to achieve your best.

        Dance in relation to curriculum helps teachers and students work cooperatively together in an educational yet creative setting.  It is believed that dance education can show positive effects in students as early as elementary school.  “Creative dance, as an integral part of an elementary physical education curriculum, is a way of using the body and the movement elements to express feelings and to communicate ideas and thoughts. In learning creative dance, students are provided opportunities to manipulate the movement elements to translate their ideas into dance sequences” (Chen & Cone, 2003). 

         There are many types of dance from many different cultures and backgrounds that help to open up a student’s mind and embrace new things.  Physically, dance tests your personal limits.  It is a great way to express yourself and relax.  Dance clearly brings many positives to the academic curriculum.  Students are better able to notice patterns and repetition, appreciate different ideas, work cooperatively in group settings as well as independently, and overall creates a well-rounded student. 

Theater/Drama

            Theater, also known as drama, is another popular field in fine arts education.  “Drama is a discipline that originates in the impulse to depict experiences, communicate understanding of those experiences, and give them form and meaning. Drama is a powerful mode of expression that has evolved over time to include a variety of forms and techniques” (Ministry of Education, 1998).  The use of theater/drama in the classroom curriculum has numerous advantages.  The two main benefits are student capability and competence.  Students who participate in such activities become better academic leaders in all areas of school curriculum, and tend to have more confidence in front of groups.  Memorization also improves in students who partake in theater/drama classes.
            “Drama also reflects and affects the social, cultural, and historical contexts in which it exists. For this reason, drama education provides a unique opportunity to foster respect for and appreciation of a variety of values and cultures” (Ministry of Education, 1998).  Students involved in these courses are generally are more creative and original, with malleable personalities.  

Music

            Music education is an important aspect of fine arts education.  “Music education enables all learners to explore, create, perceive, and communicate thoughts, images, and feelings through music. These experiences are unique and essential and play a significant role in students' lifelong development as educated citizens. Shared experiences in music also significantly contribute to the development of a healthier society through activities that respect and reflect the diversity of human experiences” (Ministry of Education, 1998).
            The benefits of music education are endless, some of which include: sociability, poise, coordination, patience, self-respect, confidence, creativity, and discipline (AFME, 2004).  It is not hard to parallel these positives to other academic settings.   “Research has found that children who participate in music programs perform better in the areas of Math and Science. Children who listen to music from an early age have been found to be more organized and think on a higher level than children who are not exposed to music” (Kettle Moraine, 2004).  People with musically enhanced personalities are often times produce more emotionally stable people, who are sensitive to others and their environment.  

Visual Arts

            The final aspect of fine arts education in regards to curriculum is visual arts.  “The visual arts are an essential form of communication, indispensable to inquiry and expression” (Ministry of Education, 1998).  Visual arts include many different mediums.  “This category may include the traditional fine arts such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture; communication and design arts such as film, television, graphics, and product design; architecture and environmental arts such as urban, interior, and landscape; folk arts; and works of art such as ceramics, fibers, jewelry as well as works in wood, paper, and other materials” (NCPS, 2004).
            It was once believed that “The visual arts, often viewed as peripheral to basic education, are not widely considered a necessary component of K-12 schooling. What art education is offered frequently revolves around technical skills and activities that seem to have little relationship to other school subjects” (Sproll, 1998).  However, this is not the case.  Visual arts is in fact one of the most important aspects of fine arts education.  It involves physical and mental skill, both learned and utilized.  Visual arts can be used in all areas of education.  Skills learned may be implemented into other academic settings such as math, science, social studies, and English.  Visual arts help to spark creativity, originality, and imagination. 

School Implementation

            As presented in this research paper, there are many positive effects, which stem from fine arts education.  Talents and aptitude learned by the students who participate in fine arts classes become better-rounded students in comparison to those who do not.  Learning techniques in the areas of dance, theater/drama, music, and visual arts have proven to be useful in all other academic curriculums.  There are limited reasons why schools hold back from promoting fine arts in education and curriculum.

The only reason some schools hold back from implementation of the fine arts is cost.  Fine arts classes can be pricey, with the need to purchase special equipment such as VCRs, instruments, books, radios/sound systems, computers, etc.  One Maryland school knows just how expensive fine arts education can be, specifically in the music department: “Patapsco, a Dundalk magnet school, recently spent more than $30,000 in donations and school funds to purchase an electronic organ” (Neufeld, 2004).  That is just the going rate for one instrument!  The programs in the fine arts curriculum are some of the most expensive courses in education.  “Mr. O'Malley [mayor] noted that the funds for art projects had been cut. As a result, students planning to participate in a school band or a theater production of The Wiz would have their hopes either postponed or eliminated. He detected a sense of deep disappointment that was regrettably expressed” (Hooke, 2004).  This is an example of a tragic incident in regards to fine arts in education being cut in order to pay for other schooling expenses.  Fine arts are too important to cut from our children’s education because they gain so many skills from taking these classes. 

Conclusion

            Overall, fine arts education is extremely essential to the education of our students.  The areas of dance, theater/drama, music, and visual arts promote alternative learning and teaching methods.  Students gain knowledge and experience that can be a fundamental mechanism today’s teachers use.  In conclusion, fine arts are ultimately used in school curriculum to encourage creavity and motivation. 

Last updated by Alexis DeAngelis on November 30, 2004.