The Impact of Arts on The Impact of Arts on LearningLearning

Carmen G. BurgosCarmen G. BurgosExtension Specialist, Volunteer DevelopmentExtension Specialist, Volunteer Development

Justin CroweJustin CroweExtension Specialist, Civic EngagementExtension Specialist, Civic Engagement

Extension - 4-H Youth DevelopmentExtension - 4-H Youth DevelopmentUniversity of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee

PurposePurposeCreate awareness of:Create awareness of:

- research , reports and resources available- research , reports and resources available

- how the arts impact learning- how the arts impact learning

Provide research based support for 4-H Provide research based support for 4-H youth programming efforts related to arts.youth programming efforts related to arts.

Encourage careful selections and Encourage careful selections and preparation for meaningful experiences preparation for meaningful experiences and activitiesand activities

Learning to learn can be Learning to learn can be hardhard FUN WORKFUN WORK

Research…Research…“ “ Research reveals that when young Research reveals that when young

people (both general and at-risk people (both general and at-risk populations) study arts they show:populations) study arts they show:

heightened academic standing,heightened academic standing,

a strong capacity for self-a strong capacity for self-assessment, andassessment, and

a secure sense of their own ability to a secure sense of their own ability to plan and work for a positive future.”plan and work for a positive future.”

Arts education can: Arts education can:

Reach students on the margins of the Reach students on the margins of the educational system.educational system.

Create an effective learning Create an effective learning environment.environment.

Connect learner’s experiences to the Connect learner’s experiences to the world outside of school.world outside of school.

Students introduced to arts education Students introduced to arts education have heightened have heightened soft skills soft skills such as such as creative thinking, fluency, originality, and creative thinking, fluency, originality, and elaboration.elaboration.

Key competencies of cognitive growth Key competencies of cognitive growth identified to be developed through the arts identified to be developed through the arts include:include:

* perception of relationships* perception of relationships* skills in finding multiple solutions to a * skills in finding multiple solutions to a problemproblem* attention to details* attention to details* adaptability* adaptability* decision making skills* decision making skills*visualization of goals and outcomes.*visualization of goals and outcomes.

““Imagination is more Imagination is more important than knowledge”important than knowledge”

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Statement for Statement for thought…thought…

““Business leaders and analysts tell us Business leaders and analysts tell us that that imaginationimagination, , innovationinnovation and and creativitycreativity are the primary skills are the primary skills that will keep America competitive in that will keep America competitive in the global economy.”the global economy.”

Richard J. DeasyRichard J. Deasy

Director, Arts Education Director, Arts Education PartnershipPartnership

Question….Question…. With the research With the research available, why are the arts available, why are the arts still considered the frills in still considered the frills in school curriculum and are school curriculum and are the first to be cut when the first to be cut when funding is low ?funding is low ?

What does this What does this mean for you?mean for you?

When schools When schools can’t …can’t …

4-H 4-H cancan !!! !!!

What can we do for best What can we do for best results?results? Be prepared.Be prepared.

IdentifyIdentify targeted life skills in project. targeted life skills in project. ProvideProvide hands on activities. hands on activities. UtilizeUtilize the experiential learning model. the experiential learning model. FindFind “art people” resources in your “art people” resources in your

community. community. SelectSelect projects with a purpose. projects with a purpose. ChallengeChallenge youth to try new experiences. youth to try new experiences.

Learn, Enjoy and Learn, Enjoy and

Have Fun!Have Fun! Make connectionsMake connections

Questions?Questions?

ChallengeChallenge Be an element of transformation – utilize this Be an element of transformation – utilize this

contemporary perspective through our traditional contemporary perspective through our traditional projects and provide a setting for essential experiences projects and provide a setting for essential experiences in youth development.in youth development.

Be an advocate for the arts in youth development!Be an advocate for the arts in youth development! Plan with purpose as well as fun… utilize experiential Plan with purpose as well as fun… utilize experiential

learning and learning skills.learning and learning skills. Help youth fully internalize the interrelatedness of Help youth fully internalize the interrelatedness of

activities and learning.activities and learning. Identify volunteers that can assist and expand this Identify volunteers that can assist and expand this

aspect of programming!aspect of programming! Consider how the arts can complement and enhance Consider how the arts can complement and enhance

SET abilities and skills. Make the connections!SET abilities and skills. Make the connections!

Thank You!Thank You!