Fine Arts and Budget Cuts in Schools

Music, choir, band, painting, drawing, and pottery are all forms of art. Whether it’s fine arts or performing arts, the arts are an important aspect of education. Art is a way for students to express themselves, whether it’s singing, playing an instrument, drawing, painting, or any other form of art. It allows children to be creative and use their imaginations. With the economy the way it is, budget cuts are becoming a big problem and in a lot of schools arts programs are being cut because of it. With the No Child Left Behind Act, testing has become a key role in education especially in math and reading. Fine arts and performing arts education is seen as less important as it is not a core subject and is suffering the consequences.

Not every kid in school is going to be a math prodigy or scientist. Some students take as many music classes as possible in the hopes of going to college to pursue a career in music, same as the fine arts. Some students really thrive and excel in these classes and hope to carve a future out of their talents but will have trouble following their dreams if the availability isn’t there.  If art departments are having budget cuts and programs are being completely cut, schools are taking away the opportunity for students to continue on with arts in their future.

By cutting these departments, schools are sending the message that the fine arts and performing arts are not important, when in-fact they play an essential role in students’ education. According the article, “Why the FineArts are Important”, art teaches students to respect one another’s individuality and expression.  This article explains that “As students imagine, create, and reflect, they are developing both verbal and nonverbal abilities necessary to school progress. At the same time, they are developing problem-solving abilities and higher-order thinking skills. Research points toward a consistent and positive correlation between a substantive education in the arts and student achievement in other subjects and on standardized tests. A comprehensive, articulated arts education program also engages students in a process that helps them develop the self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation necessary for self-esteem and success for life”.

According to the University of Michigan, in a Milwaukee school district, it was “shown that within two to three years of the budget cuts, morale has decreased and vandalism and delinquency has increased. Disciplinary staff had to be added to deal with the new problems that had arisen. In most cases, the additional staff cost more than the art programs themselves.”  In this article it explains that human beings need an outlet and a way to express themselves and the arts is a beneficial and safe way to do so. When students participate in the arts, it gives them an organization to be a part of. When students get to be a part of art, whether if they are in band and get to travel around the state to competitions or play during half time shows, or be part of an art club and submit paintings and drawings into a gallery for show, these opportunities give students unforgettable experiences as well as a well rounded education.

Arts are an extremely essential part of academic education and need to stay a part of the curriculum. This department is too important to cut. We need to find another way to deal with budget cuts instead of taking out art programs.