A report by the Arts Education Partnership revealed that schoolchildren exposed to drama,
music, and dance are often more proficient at reading, writing, and math.
The report examined over 62 studies from 100 researchers studying the impact of various art
forms. Researchers determined that students who received more arts education did better
on standardized tests, improved their social skills, and were more motivated than those who had reduced or no access.
Additionally, the arts can positively impact cognitive function. In a four-year study conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers, students taking music training were found to have changes in their brain structures helping them transfer their motor skills to similar areas. Another study found students motivated to practice a specific art form improved their IQ scores. Other studies reported similar findings on the arts’ impacts on the brain, showing that sustained arts education can be a significant aspect of social and intellectual development.
Arts education correlates with reduced dropout rates, improved attendance, and reduced need for disciplinary action. Greater productivity and creativity in schools today yields greater innovation in every field in the future.
The science supports what we have known for decades: You can’t have smarts without the
arts.