J.O — ORIGINAL WORK

19 September 2024

Opinion Essay

Do Schools Pay Excessive Attention to the Arts?

In my opinion, the arts are important in our education, despite the growing emphasis on career preparation. Whether literature, architecture, visual arts, music, or theatre, the arts are important to the development of an individual and human nature as whole. They allow us to understand history, society, and ourselves. Reducing their importance in education would rob children and adolescents of the opportunity to engage with culture, creativity, and critical thinking. I believe that teaching arts in school would lead to appreciation and prepares students for more than just a career. It prepares them for a cultured life

The perspectives I have are influenced by my childhood. Growing up in an environment where literature and history were deeply valued, and with family members who always reminded me of the importance of being a cultured individual, I learned to appreciate art and the representation of humans it provides. My upbringing taught me that there is more to books than the words on the page, just as paintings have more meaning than the paint on the canvas.

This, of course, translates to my views regarding the arts, and how they affect education. I didn’t feel it as much when I was younger but now as someone who is almost an adult, I find it difficult to find people with the same interests as me. Many enjoy music as I do but very few enjoy classic literature, art, and architecture as I do. They exist of course, but I’ve found more luck in relating to adults than other teens. Just the other day, in my course of history since the 15th century, my teacher was doing a powerpoint presentation of Renaissance architecture —some of the best architecture after gothic, in my opinion—and only about three people were actually paying attention—I’m serious. And this had nothing to do with the teacher as most people find him engaging, it comes down to the simple fact that most people just don’t care. It’s sad to see, I think, especially since humans don’t make things like that any more. Now, every building or house has the same shape and modern feel, which I find exceptionally boring and dull. Not to mention beyond repetitive.

Additionally, my age has impacted how I view this issue. As an adolescent looking toward the future, I feel the pressure to focus on my future career. However, I also see the importance of maintaining a balance between professional skills and personal enjoyment. Having grown up in a time when technology is the centre of our lives, it’s clear that critical thinking and creativity—skills often created through the arts—are more important than ever. Younger generations like mine are facing quickly changing job markets, where adaptability is important. Exposure to the arts can teach children to think outside the box, making them more prepared for the insanity that is the career landscape. Without the arts, schools risk turning students into one-dimensional robots rather than adaptable, creative individuals.

In conclusion, while I understand the desire for schools to focus on career preparation, I believe that reducing the emphasis on the arts would be a mistake. Influenced by my interests and my environment, I see the arts as necessary for creativity, emotional depth, intelligence, and broader understanding, all of which are useful skills for any career. Schools should encourage teaching the arts, as they are essential in preparing students not just for a career but for a cultured life. A future without the arts puts us at risk of losing the things that make us human.