Empathy & Innovation: The Untapped Power of Art in Schools
Empathy & Innovation: The Untapped Power of Art in Schools
How an Unempathetic Nun Made Me Understand The Integral Role of the Arts in Shaping a Richly Developed Human Experience
Once upon a time, a nun told me a lie.
I can't pinpoint when I first held a brush, sketched lines on paper, or melded colors and shapes into creations that felt uniquely mine. It's as if those early moments of artistry are tucked away in a chest deep within my mind, blending fact and fiction as the years roll on, making it hard to separate myth from memory.
Art, to me, feels like the ultimate democracy. It opens its doors to anyone with a spark of curiosity and access to the Internet. Sure, one can pursue formal studies, dive deep into art history, or sculpt innate talents into academic excellence. Yet, this doesn't exclude the self-taught, the dreamers outside academic halls, from embracing art and creating purely for the joy of creation.
My journey threaded through Catholic schools, where art classes often revealed more about the instructors than about art itself. I vividly recall a nun, our art teacher, dismissing my clumsy attempts at art with a harshness that belied her role. “I can see you will never get far in painting or drawing," she said, her words sharp and dismissive.
She did it loud enough for my classmates to laugh, sending a rush of embarrassment through me. My face turned bright red, and I was on the verge of tears. I was nine years old.
Why would an adult, tasked with nurturing young minds, choose to stifle a child's creative spark with such carelessness?
I will never forget that day.
That incident became a catalyst for defiance rather than despair. Fueled by a mix of anger and determination, I returned home, pouring my soul into drawing after drawing, desperate to prove her wrong. Yet, as I reached the end of my notepad, a harsh truth dawned on me: my art did not mirror the perfection I aimed for.
In my education system, no one whispered the encouraging words that practice breeds mastery, that dedication can transform raw passion into remarkable skill, that talent is just habit and passion. Instead, I found myself unfairly measured against giants, my modest dream of sketching heroes dashed by unrealistic expectations.
Arts as the Engine of Human Development
Yet, my story isn't unique.
Across classrooms worldwide, the words of a teacher can either uplift or crush a student's spirit. It's not merely about a teacher's desire to inspire but also how we value art in education. Despite its profound impact on human culture and thought, art often lingers in the shadows of subjects deemed more 'serious' like mathematics or science. Why do we accept this imbalance?
In a time when AI challenges our definitions of creativity, offering a mirror to our collective genius at an unprecedented pace, the essence of our humanity is under scrutiny. The capacity of technology to assimilate and recreate our collective knowledge into something new is both awe-inspiring and daunting.
Now, more than ever, I find myself deeply invested in how a teacher's guidance and the structure of art education can mould a child's journey. This interest isn't just academic—it's personal. As a father and someone invested in our collective future, I'm convinced that the arts are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of our human saga. Yet, as I pen these thoughts, I'm aware that hard data might not fully endorse my conviction.
Consider this a heartfelt plea for recognizing the arts not just as an academic enhancer but as a cornerstone of human development. This stance is born out of a belief that goes beyond the usual narrative linking art education primarily to better performance in non-art subjects. While those benefits are indeed valuable, they barely scratch the surface of why the arts matter.
We should think of the arts as a rare, multifaceted gem in the curriculum's treasure chest, unlike any other stone or jewel. It's often scrutinized under a magnifying glass, demanded to prove its worth by the sparkle it casts in unexpected places.
Now, imagine if we turned this lens towards the study of history, asking it to justify its value by its ability to enhance mathematical skills. The inquiry might very well reveal that history, despite its stories and lessons, doesn't directly polish our numerical prowess.
Yet, the arts manage to send their roots deep into the earth of other disciplines, intertwining in ways we're just beginning to explore. By nurturing these connections, we might just discover how to harness this remarkable growth for even greater harvests. However, the true value of this garden doesn't lie in its ability to feed the fields around it but in its intrinsic beauty and the sanctuary it provides.
We should shift our gaze from viewing the arts as mere tools, a lens that's become all too common in our pragmatic world. This outlook, especially widespread among certain cultures, misses the rich array of rewards that the arts naturally bring to the table. Standing too close to the canvas, chasing tangible benefits, we risk missing the masterpiece altogether.
Consider sports as another vital element of our educational ecosystem. If coaches started to claim that playing football sharpens arithmetic skills, and yet, upon scrutiny, this correlation wilted under the scientific gaze, would we strip our fields bare of nets, goals and balls? Hardly. The physical and team-building virtues of sports stand undisputed, beyond the realm of academia.
So why not view the arts through the same lens? Let's celebrate the arts for the richness they bring to our children's lives beyond any auxiliary academic benefits.
The arts cultivate a mode of thinking, sensitivity, and creativity that blossoms well beyond the classroom walls. Let's value the arts for what they are: an essential part of growing up whole and inspired.
Much like a comprehensive primary education includes nurturing the body with physical education, a complete educational experience embraces the arts as essential to its framework.
What do we unfold in schools when the arts are at the center stage?
I think of it like this: some schools that really value art also start doing other innovative things that help all types of learning.
These places might start to encourage a lot of questioning, dive into more hands-on projects, set the bar high for what students can achieve, and really zero in on ways to be outstanding. It's important for those who shape our schools to notice that when art gets the spotlight, it brings along some outstanding benefits.
When arts take the lead in schools, students' creativity, imagination, and smarts come alive as they engage with different materials, tools, and artworks. The act of making and appreciating art is like a dance of folding and unfolding ideas and objects, tapping into deep intelligence and sensitivity.
In art classes, learning isn't just about words; it's about hands-on interaction with the concept of creation. Crafting art involves playing with materials, shaping them with tools and skills into something new. Artists get to know their materials intimately, often forming a bond or staying true to the essence of the materials they use. Imperfection is assumed and encouraged.
Tools carry with them a rich history of craft and mastery. Learning to use these tools is like unlocking ancient secrets and adapting them to one's own style and creative goals.
Art education has a significant impact on societal development by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. It provides opportunities for students to express their emotions and ideas, which can lead to a better understanding of themselves and their communities. This understanding can contribute to the development of a more inclusive, engaged, collaborative and curious society.
Art education also plays a role in social change, as it can be used to challenge “common sense” attitudes, mobilize civic participation, and work to change policies. It can help students develop a new shared understanding about the world, which can move the barometer of social change toward equity and justice
Art education, then, is about nurturing both critical thinking and deep feeling; it is about the individual, not the art itself. School projects that blend research and creation don't just try to copy professional art; they're a chance for students to really dive in, keep their eyes on their unique ideas, and find their own voice. We have a massive opportunity in front of us.
Look, at the end of the day, I'm not an educator, nor am I a professional artist or a policymaker. Still, it is crystal clear to me that our children will live in a world that is complex, automated, and plastered with AI everywhere you look. Like everyone, I'm both amazed and terrified by the things we will be able to do due to the AI revolution.
Soft skills will be the ones that determine the future of work for our kids. As AI becomes more and more knowledgeable, we can expect an AGI to take over many of the tasks we perform on a regular basis as humans.
What is left for us, then?
I think the answer to that question is simple: to explore, explain, and experience our shared sense of humanity. I believe Art Education, and ART with capital letters, will be at the center of this new approach to the next steps of our species, whether it's here, on Mars, or in Alpha Centauri.
Art serves as our medium for unravelling the essence of our being, the reason behind our existence, and the depth of our emotions. While AI may shape our future, it cannot usurp this unique human capacity.
However, there's a significant opportunity for us to further solidify art's role as a pivotal conduit for expression and understanding.
In essence, I'd love to go back to the past, enter the same classroom again where that unemphatic nun told me what I wouldn't be able to do or become, face her, and say, “Art saved me despite you, thank you.”
As I can’t possibly reach that goal, I have written this manifesto.
A Radical Manifesto for Creative Education
Art is the soul's language, an essential tool for expressing our deepest emotions, questions, and insights about the human experience.
Every child possesses an innate capacity for creativity that must be nurtured, not stifled, by our educational systems and societal attitudes.
The value of art cannot be measured solely by its capacity to enhance performance in traditional academic subjects; its worth is intrinsic.
In an era increasingly dominated by technology and artificial intelligence, art remains a bastion of human uniqueness and irreplaceable expression.
Art education fosters critical thinking, empathy, and innovative problem-solving skills, preparing students for a future where these abilities will be paramount.
The arts serve as a democratic space where all voices can be heard and respected, transcending socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic barriers.
Encouraging hands-on experience with diverse materials and techniques, art education cultivates not just skills, but a lifelong appreciation for the creative process.
By integrating art into our core curriculum, we prepare our children not just to be successful professionals, but also well-rounded, emotionally intelligent individuals.
Schools that place art at the center of their educational model often see a ripple effect, inspiring innovation and excellence across all subjects and activities.
We must advocate for art education as a fundamental right for every child, recognizing it as a critical component of their development into empathetic, creative, and thoughtful adults.
I would love to know about your own art education and your thoughts about this post.
Thank you for reading and staying along.
Until next time, By any art necessary.