Art Education in Schools: A Flawed System

Why should art not be taught in schools?
Schools without art mean that fewer children discover the power of their own potential for expression. And that means that over time fewer voices are contributing because fewer people believe that they have something to contribute. Fewer people believe they have a right or a reason to contribute.
Read more on www.ashoka.org

The subject of whether art instruction should be included in the school curriculum is one that has been around for a while. Because art is a subjective endeavor, what one person may deem beautiful and meaningful may mean something quite different to another. Additionally, it’s possible that teaching art in schools isn’t the best way to encourage pupils’ creativity. In this essay, we will look at the arguments against teaching art in schools and present several substitutes.

The intrinsic limits of the educational system itself are one of the key arguments against teaching art in schools. Schools are built around a structured curriculum that aims to teach pupils knowledge and skills in a uniform way. However, as art is a subjective subject, it cannot be taught in this way. The same way that a math test cannot be graded, a student’s creativity cannot be assessed or evaluated. As a result, art instruction in schools is frequently constrained to a handful of fundamental techniques and art forms, which might not be sufficient to unlock a student’s full creative potential.

The fact that it frequently fails to engage kids is another reason why art instruction in schools is inadequate. It is impossible to teach art in the same way that standard disciplines like math or physics are taught because it is such a very personal and emotional subject. To encourage and motivate students to make art, which is frequently difficult to do in a classroom context. A student’s creativity may also be stifled by the stress of deadlines and academics, making it challenging for them to express themselves fully.

The best place to start when trying to generate ideas is within yourself. Look for inspiration in commonplace things and situations, and make an effort to adopt a fresh viewpoint. Additionally, you might get ideas from other artists by looking at their work or working with them on a project.

There are many resources accessible if you’re interested in learning to draw online. There are a ton of free courses and lessons on YouTube, which is a terrific place to start. Additionally, you can enroll in online classes from respected art institutions or join online painting groups.

Beginners may find it challenging to set a price for their artwork because it can vary greatly depending on the medium, size, and degree of detail. As a general rule, you should bill for the amount of time and materials spent on the project as well as the level of expertise required.

It’s crucial to have a realistic assessment of your own knowledge and experience if you’re thinking about teaching a class. It can be advisable to start off small with private lessons or workshops and progress to larger classes over time. It’s crucial to include in the time and materials needed to conduct a lesson when determining how much to charge for your services.

In conclusion, while school art programs may have excellent intentions, they frequently contain flaws that prevent them from bringing out a student’s actual creative potential. Instead, teachers should encourage pupils to explore art on their own terms and look to other artists and within themselves for inspiration. While private instruction and online resources might offer a more individualized and efficient way to learn art, cost and class delivery should be treated with caution.