Art for Life
The "reintroduction" to the arts in the curriculum has been a slow process with many detours along the way. It has also been compared to Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences in this way: "Three important truths are woven together in Gardner's characteristically perceptive trope. First is the encouraging fact that, now, schoolteachers, college professors, administrators, artists, critics, art historians, aestheticians and others, are combining their talents and techniques in an effort to strengthen American art education. Second is the discouraging fact that these par-ties, like those in any new ensemble, are having difficulty in achieving harmony. And third is the practical truth that their own judgment as to what works best will not be the final arbiter of their success." (Moore, p.5) Throughout history, art has brought people together and was considered a great contribu-tion, but my research brought me to this statement: "What I want to stress here is not how we are connected to the past, but how strongly we are disconnected. For practical purposes current art instruction doesn't involve a fixed curriculum, a hierarchy of genres, a sequence of courses, a coherent body of knowledge, or a unified theory of practice
The fifth reason, "The arts provide avenues of achievement for students who might not otherwise be successful." (Cornett, p.7) Many students, especially those with learning difficul-ties, seem to shine in the arts. From my practicum experiences, I have been fortunate to see stu-dents that have difficulty in the core curriculum demonstrate beautiful work in the art rotation. I also worked with a severely mentally retarded child that was "elated" in the music rotation. The fourth reason, "The arts develop the brain." (Cornett, p.5) This is an understatement to the possibilities to enrich life through the arts. The arts open one up to the beauty around us, if one only stops and takes the time to think about the ways that art enriched the mind. People that study the arts and develop an appreciation for them broaden their minds and their social circles. Also, to think in a "creative" way leads to new innovations in today's fast-paced society.
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Approximate Word count = 2386
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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