Creative Arts and Creativity
Creativity is now as important in education as literacy. - Sir Ken Robinson
Australia’s arts and creativity are among our nation’s most powerful assets and will play a critical role in our future success as a society.
Results of the National Arts Participation Survey (2020), highlight the importance of arts and creativity on:
- child development
- our sense of wellbeing and happiness
- our dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression
- our understanding of other people and cultures
- the skills needed for the future of our nation.
This is in line with the growing body of evidence pointing to the value of arts and creativity in education and the essential role of creative skills in future workforces. Participation in creative arts (music, visual art, drama, movement and dance, storytelling) is powerful in helping students develop personal, social, and cognitive skills that transfer to, and improve performance in, a wide range of academic and social situations.
Students who are active participants with The Arts (makers and doers) are more likely to perform better academically and in social spheres than those who passively consumed the Arts. Positive effects for young people involved in arts-rich education programs include achievements in reading, language, and mathematics development, increased higher order thinking skills and capacities, increased motivation to learn, and improvements in effective social behaviours and self-esteem.
The Arts teach students to think for themselves; to connect the why and how; as well as growing their capacity to reflect, analyse and communicate. Children engaged with the Arts have greater life satisfaction, a deeper cultural understanding and sense of meaning in life.
There is a reciprocal relationship between young people and the Arts: a connection with the Arts sets them up for success and in turn, they play a critical role in the future of the nation. - National Arts Participation Survey
In recent years, multiple studies about workforces of the future (both Australian and International) have identified creative thinking and creative skills as essential to workforces of the future. Creativity enables adaptability, experimentation, and innovation.
At Mosman Prep, educating our boys during the most critical period of their brain development demands the provision of a broad, high quality learning program. We recognise that Creative Arts provides key learning experiences, which have broad implications for the development of the whole student.
The ‘Winter Ball Fundraiser’ planned for Saturday night promises to be a wonderful community celebration, and an important opportunity for us to raise funds towards our Creative Arts Centre.
Mr Peter Grimes | Headmaster
References:
Creating Our Future – Results of the National Arts Participation Survey (2020)
New Studies Link the Arts to Crucial Cognitive Skills - Edutopia (2020)
How arts education builds better brains and better lives MindShift
From the book “Your Brain on Art” (2023) - Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
Brain research shows the arts promote mental health (2020) - Brittany Harker Martin (Associate Professor, Leadership, Policy & Governance)
What Art Does for Your Brain - Mind and Body (2023) - Jill Suttie
