The Value of Art Education

We think of books, pen, friends, teachers, and the assembly ground when we recall our school days. But everything else which once upon a time was just as important to us hardly comes within the area of our imagination. Have any of us thought why this happens? The answer would perhaps be “no”. Is it because we are made to believe that only textbooks are meant to value and everything else is of no worth? Well, sad but true, most of the people think schools are made to provide only bookish knowledge. Children are sent to the schools just to get elementary education. But schools impart so much other knowledge to its pupils. One of them is art education. Art education serves to encourage the imagination level of students. Many students themselves do not know about their hidden qualities. Art education in schools helps them try their hands at it so that they can discover the artist hidden inside them. One who is good in art absorbs everything regarding art irrespective of whether it is a lesson about a famous painter or a sponge-painting project. Art education involves drawing, painting, weaving, fabrics, sculpture, pottery, and design in jewelry, etc. computer art, photography, design, etc. are included in contemporary topics of art. The first art schools were set up in Greece in the 400 B.C. Formal training took place in art studios during the period of Renaissance. In the 18th century Europe design got a lot of priority over the fine arts with the schools of design. Earlier art education used to be imparted to the children, youth and even adults in museums, recreation centers, social service agencies, local art agencies and even places of worship. Art has a history spread throughout the world. It is admired but not only one but many nations and for a very long period. In the United Kingdom, Prince Albert created the schools of Art. Later, Prince Charles had created “The Prince's Drawing School” in Hoxton to save the teaching of academic drawing or painting. The Dutch Art Teachers Association in 1880 founded Art education in schools in The Netherlands. In fact, their improvement of Art was reflected in their magazine which was brought out in 1881. The famous painter, Maarten Krabbé changed the whole educational landscape with his books on how to impart education to the children by using their free expression. He convinced people with the idea of handling the very delicate and precious talents of the children. In recent times, Art has left its impact in many countries. Parents send their children to special Art schools if they find that schools are not helping them enough with Art education. People of the present times have become more open to art and creativity. Earlier, people did not use to encourage art openly. But now people take initiatives to improve the creativity skills of their children. Now, painters and other artists are given the same platform of admiration as it is given to other professions like Doctors, Scientists and even writers. And, Art teachers are appointed to the schools specially to polish the students who can be really good at it.