Art Will Paint the Road to Your Future

There seems to be an epidemic at Bingham of students that are only signed up for an art credit because it’s required, and no other reason. There are lots of reasons why those students should not only voluntarily take an art credit, but should make room in their schedule for more. Here are a few reasons why art credits are important to have in your schedule.

If you like and appreciate the arts, but think you don’t have room for them in your schedule, then it’s time to make some room. Art classes teach you skills like planning ahead, public speaking, performance, and commitment (whether you like it or not). These are things that, frankly, you might not pick up anywhere else. They could make you a more valuable employee in any occupation or field.

If an extracurricular class has nothing to do with the occupation you’re planning on, so what? Amira Robinson, an arts education graduate said “Some people have a mathematical brain. Others have strengths in written language. Others excel in creative areas such as art and design.  Those who are multi-skilled are astronomically more useful, well-rounded, hirable, and capable of excelling in a wide range of professions.” Having a wide skill set always helps your chances of success.

Maybe you don’t think you’re the best at artistic things. That’s okay. When you take a class, you are there to learn. Telegraph Online Magazine says “New research suggests that regularly playing an instrument changes the shape and power of the brain and may be used in therapy to improve cognitive skills” and the same goes for visual art classes.

And, if you get test anxiety, Amira Robinson also said “most art and design subjects are not assessed in this way. While some have an examination component, a large quantity of the work that is  assessed is completed during class or homework time over a duration of the year.”  So, test anxiety? No problem. Even if the credit totally doesn’t apply to your career path, an A is an A. That shows that you know how to work hard and put in the time necessary to get a job done right.

Here’s one thing never to  say: “Taking an art class is required, so I’ll just sign up for whichever one looks easiest.” Nope. Wrong. Put some thought into what Art credit to take. If you just sign up for “what looks easy”, that’s bordering on insult to people who take the class because they are actually interested in it. That’s not to say you shouldn’t try something new, but don’t sign up for it unless you care.

In the end, it’s high school. Spending every spare second on college credit and career education can wait a bit. We’re all stuck here for 180 days out of the year anyway. Why not enjoy it a little. Henry David Thoreau said: “I wished to live deliberately… and not when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life. Living is so dear.”  Try something new. As teenagers, let’s spend our time meaningfully.