Time and time again, the Arts department in schools is second to sports and athletics, when in reality, it should be seen as just as important.  Art and creativity is a vital component of a student’s academic career.  Most people need the calming environment that is created from art in order to survive the school year, and it is not something that should be overlooked.  

Not everyone excels in art, but a lack of talent doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Many people don’t even try because they believe that the only way to enjoy an art class is to be good at it.  From my experience here at West, none of the art teachers have ever said that skill is required for their class—only effort.  

Arts programs are experiencing budget cuts because sports are favored in school.  This is not something new, as it has been going on for quite some time,as far back as the early 2000s.  The Hornet Online Newspaper states: “Since 2008, more than 80% of schools nationwide have experienced cuts to their budgets. Despite its significant impact, the arts are continuously the first to be diced on the chopping block.”  

The arts are tossed aside because people say that sports are physically good for you, and they are, but that doesn’t mean art isn’t beneficial as well.  The Washington Post says that art can help improve creativity, confidence, problem solving, perseverance, and focus. These are all skills things that are vital to a student’s education, even if they aren’t getting physical activity out of it.  Students might find themselves asking questions like,, “How do I turn this clay into a sculpture? How do I portray a particular emotion through dance? How will my character react in this situation? Without even realizing it kids that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems.”  

Meanwhile, “on average, American schools spend $100 billion on sporting events and over $56 billion in catering for food and beverages.” BUSTED COVERAGE states.  At West it is only required that we have one full year worth of credits from an art class, yet we need to take four years worth of gym.  Because of this, sports get newer equipment, more events with more people attending, and are overall just more heard about.  This just goes to show how unappreciated art is in school.  Students need to have some sort of physical education, but art should be an essential part of education every year.

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