By Krystal Meldrum
What if art education could help children develop the grit to climb mountains, the courage to pursue their dreams, and the creativity to change the world?
I believe it can!
Art education is so much more than painting pretty pictures or making crafts. It teaches children essential skills that strengthen their character, enrich their lives, and prepare them for the future.
I believe art education offers four life-changing benefits: Grit, Purpose, Healing, and Beauty.
Grit: Great Achievements Require Great Persistence
Practice. Persevere. Progress!
Think about what it takes to learn an instrument, write a novel, win a basketball championship, climb Mount Everest, or fly to Mars!
Great accomplishments require diligence.
Art teaches children to keep trying when something is difficult. They learn to erase, revise, experiment, and practice until their skills improve.
A child who struggles to draw a face today may create a beautiful portrait after weeks of practice.
That's grit!
Masterpieces grow through consistent effort.
Purpose: Art Has the Power to Change the World
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Images influence what we believe, purchase, value, and become. We use art to communicate, educate, and celebrate.
Think about the artists who design our homes, clothing, cars, websites, books, advertisements, and classrooms.
Art is everywhere!
But with this creative power comes responsibility.
Visual media can strengthen families and communities, or it can promote unrealistic expectations and harmful messages.
We all have the power to become responsible visual creators and consumers. Art changes the world, one image at a time!
Healing: Creativity Helps Us Through Life's Hardest Moments
Create. Connect. Find hope.
Art has been an important part of my own healing.
In recent years, I experienced a painful divorce and the heartbreaking loss of my eldest adult son to cancer. Art was one of the things that helped me through both sorrows.
During my son’s hospitalization, there were a lot of long days. I had written a joy journal about all the sweet things that he had done throughout his life, so I typed it up. That creative project was very healing during our time of sorrow.
I had done what I could to help my son with his treatments but there was still a lot of time on our hands, so I worked on writing a novel. This was something I wanted to do since I was a teenager. I would read parts to my son and he would give me his opinion. We couldn't change the tragedy unfolding around us, but we could be together working on our individual projects.
Art and writing didn't erase our grief, but it gave us a meaningful way to spend peaceful time together. My son was very kind to serve me and give me advice on The Lost Mermaid.
I want my students to discover that creativity can become a lifelong resource for reflection, emotional expression, and comfort even during times of challenge.
Sometimes creating something beautiful helps us carry something difficult.
Beauty: Art Inspires Us to Build a Better World
Seek the good, the true, and the beautiful.
Have you ever walked into a beautiful garden, cathedral, museum, or home and immediately felt inspired?
Our surroundings influence how we feel and experience the world.
Art can transform ordinary spaces into places of peace, dignity, and possibility.
Art creates beauty which refines individuals and society at large. When people are surrounded by beauty it makes a difference. In New York, Mayor Giuliani had a problem with violent crimes in his city. There was also a vandalism problem, so he took the vandalized subway cars off the line, repainted them and put them back on the line fresh and clean. The violent crimes went down dramatically in New York City. Beauty raises one’s expectations and vision and expectations and helps people make a better world.
What kind of world are we creating through the images and environments around us?
Every Child Deserves the Opportunity to Create!
Build character. Discover purpose. Create beauty.
Whether you're a homeschool parent, classroom teacher, or beginning artist, remember that art education offers benefits far beyond the finished painting.
Give children the skills to express their ideas, strengthen their character, and share their gifts with the world.
I believe every child has something beautiful to contribute.
Let's give them the tools to soar!
💙 Art is not a talent, it’s a skill that anyone can learn!
Explore inspiring homeschool drawing and painting lessons at ArtDreamer Academy | OrganizeYourJoy.com.
Creativity can open doors to meaningful careers and entrepreneurship.
