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Arts education at BW gives students of all ages an opportunity to grow, develop self-confidence and celebrate the beauty in creative expression.
Meredith Kurtz, assistant director of the BW Community Arts School, makes the case for engaging with music, dance, theatre and visual arts in a column that first appeared on cleveland.com and in all SUN newspapers.
The value of arts education was instilled in me at a young age. Whether I was singing with a children's choir, playing in band, or performing on stage, it was an important part of growing up for me. My parents knew that participating in the arts was more than just fun; it was also building skills for my whole life.
Now, as a parent, it's important to me to provide the same opportunities for my children.
Young children's brains are often referred to as sponges that soak up knowledge and new experiences. Participating in arts programming can set their lives on a positive trajectory.
Programs that begin with making sounds or identifying how the body moves lead into programs that create beautiful music or choreography that express and evoke emotions — all the while offering the learners a wealth of other benefits.
Studies demonstrate that arts education leads to higher academic success, social-emotional growth, improved concentration and memory, and even language skills. Furthermore, early exposure to arts education aids in brain development.
Music, for instance, engages the brain in a multitude of ways by using many senses: a note is identified visually; a sound or melody is processed aurally; the body produces sound on an instrument or with voice physically; and unique scents and even tastes can be part of the journey. When a desired outcome is achieved by the learner, the brain's reward centers light up, and dopamine entices them to create again.
Dance, theatre, and the visual arts contribute similarly to multi-faceted experiences helping young brains — and bodies — develop.
These types of experiences are available through a variety of programs across Northeast Ohio and at Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School (BW CAS), where I now put my passion for the arts into action as assistant director. For early learners, Music and Movement, Creative Movement, Pee-Wee and Pre-Ballet/Tap dance classes focus on fundamental skills and fun, helping young artists expand their abilities and interests.
Programs build pathways for continued development with next-level classes such as Suzuki Violin, Level 1 dance classes, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and private lessons. Personal growth is celebrated as each student progresses at their own pace and experiences the ancillary benefits of arts education: better reading and math scores, improved focus, resiliency, adaptability, and social skills.
The well-documented benefits of arts participation are not only for children. Adults can experience improved mental sharpness, positivity and social interactions through the arts. That's why BW CAS also offers adult programs like Women's or Men's Chorus, adult dance classes and the New Horizons band and orchestra programs.
As a proud member of the BW CAS team, I have enrolled my children in BW CAS programs for over a decade. I've seen firsthand how arts education benefits young learners. I have also experienced the joy of watching them build lasting friendships, memories, and moments of personal pride along the way.
Arts education offers an opportunity for everyone to grow, develop self-confidence, and celebrate the beauty in creative expression.
Find out more about BW Community Arts School programming at community.bw.edu/cas.
