EDUCATION

Seven major longitudinal studies on the impact of the arts on children and education have provided important evidence of enhanced learning and achievement when the arts are an integral part of the education experience. Engagement in the arts nurtures the development of cognitive, social, and personal competencies. The learning in and through the arts can help ‘level the playing field’ for youngsters from disadvantaged circumstances.

Providing a program during school and after school is key to helping students develop their creativity and have success and enjoyment in other classes. For those students who struggle with finding success in the academic world, the arts allow them to become the leaders and the most creative students in the arts. This helps their social relationships and gives them a desire to respect others who excel in the classroom and in the arts.

Young people in arts-based organizations gain practice in thinking and talking as adults. They have control over‘centering’ themselves and working for group excellence in achievement. Their joint work with adults and peers helps them build on conversations that test and develop ideas, explicate processes, and build scenarios of the future.

The Cultural Arts Center is proud to be a partner with the Dothan City School system and the Yes We Can Educational Initiative to work towards returning the arts to the schools. Currently, the Center is working at two target schools as part of the Arts for Excellence grant to assist in conducting a community based needs assessment for arts integration, and to work to connect area artists to the teachers, administrative staff, and students at the target schools. This partnership embodies the mission of the Cultural Arts Center to promote, educate, and provide opportunities in the visual and performing arts. It is just one way the Cultural Arts Center is Connecting Arts and Community.

Cultural Arts Center