The Case For Arts Education

by Will Espero

Arts education can play a significant role in the development and life of a child.

Because of future opportunities, arts education should be made available to every child in public schools from kindergarten to 12th grade in high school.

Art education can also give students a sense of accomplishment and build confidence as they experiment with their creative side and untapped minds. 

Drawing, coloring, singing, and dancing are already available to the youngest of students starting in pre-school.

As they get older, playing an instrument, acting, and oil painting can be offered. By their senior year, many students could be very talented artists in specific fields or areas if offered and taught over the years in a public school setting.

Ceramics, pottery, woodworking, glasswork, jewelry making, sewing, jazz band, chorus, creative writing, painting, sculpting, solo singing, and fashion design are examples of the plethora of creativity that could be unleashed in our youth.

With these artistic skills learned in public schools, artisans could continue into their adult lives and possibly earn a living from their arts education.

This idea has much more meaning in Hawaii where the cost of living is one of the highest in the nation.

With a population of about 1.4 million residents, buying local art and supporting local artists would certainly help our economy and residents.

Every day and every week, residents spend their hard-earned dollars on art and artistic expression.

Buying local fashion, drawings, paintings, music, books, photographs, jewelry, CDs, and home decor would assist home-based industries and could create a second income for someone.

If one is worthy to be an artist full-time, the rewards and success could become global as we live in a technological society.

The ability to market and promote one’s artistic abilities throughout the world is now at our fingertips thanks to computers, cellphones, and the internet.

The skills and talent we learned in public schools may now transfer to our adult lives and allow us to share with many. It’s a different world compared to just 20 years ago.

A viral environment and online messaging to millions allows artists to see, listen, share, and experience things instantaneously, and at a low cost.

Performing artists can also benefit from a public school arts education program bringing entertainment via dancing, singing, acting and community theater.

Whether performed live or pre-taped, technology has changed the landscape offering on-demand services and content. Our students and youth need to know that learning a craft is not only fun and enjoyable, but a possible career path.

Bruno Mars, Jason Scott Lee, Henry Kapono, Ann Namba, Kim Taylor Reese, Jason Momoa, Jake Shimabukuro, Jack Johnson, Bette Midler, and Kelly Hu are well-known artists with a Hawaii connection who are household names around the world.

There are also many talented local visual artists who are becoming known in their own right such as Lauren Hana Chai, Tim Nguyen, Solomon Robert Nui Enos, Lauren Roth, Shar Tui’asoa, and Walfrido Garcia.

Students don’t need to be graded in the arts, but rather motivated, encouraged, inspired, and uplifted. Some artists are certainly better than others, but in school, the arts could be a way for someone to find or create an identity. Luca might be a great ukulele player but a terrible singer.

One student might be a wonderful hip-hop dancer but a bad painter. While the other student could be a great actor and wonderful opera singer. Whatever the situation, arts can be a positive outlet and an enjoyable experience with the right teacher.

Offering options is key to unlocking the potential of every child as the world needs artists along with scientists, engineers, lawyers, doctors, athletes, businesswomen, and laborers.

Government and the private sector must always support the arts through funding, programming, and facilities.

It’s a sure way to develop and teach our children to become well-rounded members of society through culture, imagination, and history. It stimulates creative thought and thinking, and it connects us to our past.

Arts education is a lifetime journey with generational benefits, memories, and pleasantries for all. We can learn a skill or talent that stays with us forever.

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WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and state Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues.