Why we Need to Teach Drawing in School
If you are new to teaching drawing in schools, please don’t think for a moment that drawing is a nice activity but one which serves little purpose in the real world.
The following film was made by The Big Draw
Straight from the horses mouth, the awards body OCR stresses why we need to encourage pupils to study creative subjects:
- The arts make self starters and develop emotional intelligence
All require the student to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into good communicators. - The arts stretch…
Music, art and drama require long hours of hard work and dedication. Students have to pay great attention to detail, to perfect and redo. Putting on a play, exhibition or concert takes strong organisational skills. - Arts students are highly sought-after by employers
Many employers now actively seek those who have studied the arts. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was fond of saying his success was due to his hiring artists and musicians fascinated by technology rather than computer geeks. Top talent management agency, The Curve Group specialising in financial and business services, concurs: “Employees with an arts degree have developed more quickly in their roles from the start. They have discipline, confidence and can accept criticism.” - Arts ‘reach the parts other subjects can’t reach’
The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the inexpressible and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole. - Arts ‘reach the students other subjects can’t reach’
Teachers find arts subjects particularly beneficial for two groups: those who struggle with traditional subjects and those who are high achieving. Less academic students can become defeatist if they feel they can’t achieve: drama, music or art can be the place they blossom. With studious students, the arts can bring them out of themselves and be a release.
Watch how learning about art and design can lead to work in this inspirational video by Creative Journey UK:
And finally, pls listen to Bob and Roberta Smith in this film by The Big Draw, explaining why we teach art in schools:
John Nutt
June 7, 2022 @ 1:02 pm
The traditional UK school curriculum is garbage. No-one has reviewed its content or relevance because it is a political battle ground and so many state schools have dropped art because the tories are afraid of any subject that teaches how to question the status quo. That said students are being denied access to one of the moist relevant subjects for surviving the 21st century when creativity and adaptability is at a premium. Look at Ukraine and think, what do we know of the UKs future.
Lesa Stremick
November 6, 2023 @ 1:22 pm
I am in a new district in the US where the Art organizers think drawing is ‘optional’. Most of the primary school art teachers do limited drawing with kids and say that they themselves are not good at drawing and don’t want ‘kids to get frustrated’ so they don’t do observational drawing or experimental mark making— only tracing or guided drawing, if at ALL! So when kids get to Middle years they don’t like any art that involves drawing, sketching or brainstorming ideas. The doors are already closed. Add to that the push to do quick 40 min make and takes where all the projects look nearly the same with limited student choices and personal exploration. I’ve already made myself unpopular by stating some projects need to be longer and include research, exploration, mark making media exploration, and practice sketching ideas… Then add to that the fact that I’ve already said the US arts standards focus too little on making and exploring and penalize kids who don’t live near an art museum or gallery. I used to be more 3d and recycled materials oriented until I saw how drawing could be made fun with unusual materials and how kids DO notice their surroundings and naturally draw. Native American kids taught me this, but also how kids in Asia were adept at ‘copying’ but scared to death or personal exploration, creative expression and identity exploration.
Rachel
November 13, 2023 @ 10:39 am
Thank you for your comment Lesa and we understand the challenges! We hope the resources we have on the website go some way to support your role, and give you confidence that the things you highlight as important have an important role to play!