The Importance of Arts Education
Education in the arts is essential in improving the quality of students’ lives in school and beyond. The arts expect students to push the boundaries of creativity that differs from other subjects. Students are able to learn in physical and embodied ways, by collaborating with others, by responding to their work emotionally, and by drawing upon other acquired knowledge from different areas of study. Studies have shown that learning in the arts can provide intellectual benefits including general thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, consequentially cultivating intellectual achievements in other subjects.
Education in the arts can also improve students’ quality of life outside of school. Students are able to explore their talents and improve confidence. They can develop a sense of pride by demonstrating their abilities and talking about their work. The arts also provide students the opportunity to learn about empathy through the work of other others by discovering life that differs from their own.
The exhibition Homecoming is curated by Laura Butler, the Curatorial Assistant at Kawartha Art Gallery in Lindsay Ontario.
Laura is a visual artist currently attending the University of Western Ontario, working to complete a Bachelor’s degree with an Honors Specialization in Fine Art. Her practice often uses plantae imagery to explore man controlling nature and the autonomy of plants. She works mainly in acrylic paint and various printmaking techniques.
At Kawartha Art Gallery, Laura works as the Curatorial Assistant under the supervision of the Executive Director, Susan Taylor. Laura is responsible for curating an exhibition of her choice, to further develop and launch Art Warriors, and to create any additional exhibit and programming proposals.