Why Students Need Art

Only 2% of students go into an art related career but 100% benefit!

• When am I ever going to need art?
• Why do I have to do this stuff?
• I can't draw good, I'm gonna’ fail!
• It's only art, what's so important?

 
As an art teacher, you're going to come across this at some point or another. There are good replies to this and replies that are disrespectful or diminish your own profession.

Disrespectful:

• Because I said so = Shut up.
• Because you need it to graduate = I don't care.
• No More Questions! = Shut up & I don't know.
• You'll look stupid if you get an "F" in art...

 
Replies that diminish your profession:

• Because it will be fun = This class is frivolous.
• Because everyone needs a break in their day = You’re right, it’s not important.

 
The worst responses are from those that wish they could reject all the students from the class who don't want to be there so they can teach the motivated students... 
 
Less than 2% of your students will go into an art-related career. Does that mean that art is only necessary for a slim portion of our population? In short, NO. But it does mean that we must address the need for art with 98% of our children.
 
One tactic is to ask students to make a list of 5 things they can see around them, or in their room that was not made or influenced by an artist. It's pretty hard to do and it can make for an interesting conversation. For me though, I like to focus on facts and the reality of my situation.
 
For the majority of middle and high school students their main goal is to pass, get good grades, and graduate. Perhaps they are also motivated to get into college. It is with this in mind that I have a conversation with my students, in the first week of class, about the importance and power of art. I speak respectfully, answering questions as they come up.
 
For these students I tell them the facts: (SOURCE LINK)

• Students who take art, on average, score 100 points higher on their SAT exams.
• Exploring art and making art both help the brain make more neural connections, but making art showed significantly greater cognitive gains.
• 72% of business leaders say that creativity is the number one skill they hire for. Art is one of the few places you can develop these kinds of problem-solving skills.
• Students who participate in art are 4X more likely to participate in a math or science fair.
• Art students are more likely to be recognized for student achievement.
• Medical students benefit from the dexterity skills taught in art.

 
When we grid, measure, and draw—we use geometry. When we make sculptures—we use engineering. When we mix colors—we reveal information about physics. When we create illustrations for stories—we learn about literature. When we review the styles of art from da Vinci to Banksy—we teach history. When we work in ceramics—we learn chemistry.  When we create works of art, we solve complex visual problems in creative ways.
 
I end with something like this, "I recognize that most of you will not go on to an art-related career, but I have explained how an art class can have important benefits for all your classes. If you plan to become a doctor, lawyer, police officer, nurse, teacher, or ditch digger, one this is true: the most successful people in their profession solve problems in new and creative ways. Art may be the only class that allows you to do this. Each project I assign you is essentially a problem to solve with the materials I will make available to you. But unlike and math or science class, there are an infinite number of right answers. The only wrong answer is no answer. If you participate in all our work, you will pass this class. Those who are artistic will do amazing things. Those who are new to art will find something they do really well. As long as you try, you will not fail."
 
This is the most respectful and uplifting way to begin an art course that grounds your program. Though art can be fun, therapeutic, a break from academia, I NEVER FOCUS ON THIS. To those outside art, (98.6% of people) these things equal frivolity and an excuse to reduce or remove funding from art education. 

See THIS blogpost for more facts about art education.