THE NECESSITY FOR ART IN EDUCATION

In this essay, I review the literature that argues that there is a correlation between arts awareness and ability at school level and academic performance. Based on this research, I argue in accordance with five principles or pillars that art, rightly conceived, will develop persons through play, visual literacy and thinking through materials, and that this will overcome the materialistic, superficial, greedy culture that prevails. Learning should be fun and not just utilitarian and art a portal to the inner life, not just a certain kind of performance. I suggest that art taught in such a manner right from the beginning of the educational process will promote a better society and more well-adjusted individuals.