It’s undeniable that art plays an integral role in many aspects of human culture. Yet, despite this, it is often a subject that is alarmingly undervalued, particularly in America’s public school system. With funding increasingly being spent on STEM education, one is left to ponder whether art will remain in the classroom at all (govtech.com).

   Many have made the argument that in our fast-paced world of technology, the importance of art has decreased, therefore fewer resources should be allocated to art classes. Despite this, the amount of artists in the workforce, while still relatively low, has been steadily increasing over the past twenty years (americansforthearts.org). With an increasing amount of jobs opening for artists of all kinds, it only makes sense for that change to be reflected in our school system via a larger portion of funding being dedicated to art classes.

   Furthermore, art plays an undeniably crucial role in the emotional development of children. According to a website on the importance of children making art, “The arts provide students with a medium to express their emotions and thoughts, helping them develop a sense of self-awareness and self-esteem” (kidsmart.org). Social and emotional development are equally important as academic advancement. Art classes are responsible for teaching children numerous real world skills, such as the ability to communicate their emotions, express themselves, and empathize with others. According to the Madrid Academy of Art, “Art can be used as a form of self-expression, which can help us to process and understand our emotions” (madridacademyofart.com).

   However, most importantly, art is imperative to the survival of human culture. According to Artist Nancy Reyner, “Art plays a crucial role in forming and expressing cultural identity. It captures the essence of a community’s beliefs, traditions, and experiences, preserving them for future generations” (nancyreyner.com). By introducing children to art at a young age, school systems have the potential to familiarize them with the concept of culture, and even encourage them to contribute art of their own to their local communities, whether that be through performing in a local children’s play or donating a piece of their own artwork to a museum.

   It is important to not mislabel the arts as frivolous. They have the potential to not only enable children to express the creativity that comes with youth, but to aid them in the development of real world skills. The significance of art in America’s education system can hardly be overlooked. Granting more money to art programs would introduce numerous benefits to public schools, and boost the overall quality of education in America.