Tight budgets, strong focus on core classes and critical thinking tests have caused a decrease in the number of arts being offered and being incorporated into learning environments in past years. Recently, schools have been having to cut the arts department because of budget constraints.

With the help of non-profit organizations such as Art in Action, students have been able to access visual arts curriculum that gives them creative choices of learning. Visual arts curriculum is learning based off arts that can be seen or made to look at.

Many students at Athens Drive High School (ADHS) find art as a sort of escape from their everyday life, and a chance to express themselves.

“I like the freedom of expression we have,” said Angelina Morin, senior.

Morin is not only happy to have a chance to do art in her art classes. Morin and many other students across the nation wish that art was incorporated more into their core classes. Many art teachers also believe that the incorporation of arts into classwork is important for students of all ages. Laura Bernstein, an art teacher at ADHS, wishes that more classes incorporated arts into their teaching.

“It goes with the stem theme and critical thinking skills and motor skills, that they will use for all of life,” said Bernstein.

As Bernstein said, arts help sharpen a student’s critical thinking skills, which are the skills needed to use facts to form judgment. According to the National Association for gifted children, art is important and necessary for exploring and learning.

Although art is seemingly incorporated into some classes, many teachers create criteria not for the work itself, but for the appearance of it. Grading a student’s project and judging the way they creatively express themselves through color and design can lead to a depletion of art-loving students and a more uniform way of thinking and designing.

In one of Athens art classrooms, art is displayed in all different, shapes and colors, as well as with different meanings behind the work.

“It’s a bird. It’s supposed to be the symbolism of safe places,” said Morin when asked about her latest work.

The ability for students to express themselves gives them a chance to apply concepts to their art and have a better understanding of the work they are doing. According to a study conducted by Walden University, art allows a student to observe their surroundings more closely, and create a base for their critical thinking skills.

Art could be more incorporated into classrooms, to give students a chance to express themselves, and learn subjects their own way. With more available art programs accessible to students of every grade, the more diversity they will have with their thinking and decision making. Art has the potential to enrich students learning environment and give them new ways to take in information.