Arica Dowd
Art Education and its Importance.
Most of my students will not pursue a career in the arts. I tell them this in the beginning. I tell them that what we study in art is useful in all aspects of their lives, and education without the arts is incomplete. My students gain skills from painting, sculpture, and design, which are tools they can use to improve their visual acuity, fine motor skills, and communication skills. The knowledge gained from studying, analyzing, evaluating, and judging art teaches students to problem solve and communicate.
What Will a Student in my Classroom Come to Experience and Learn?
A student in my classroom will enrich units that encompass art history, art appreciation, art-making, and critique. In addition, students will encounter art media, including 2-d drawing and painting, 3-D sculpture, and even 3D printing, all this in addition to experience in graphic design and web design.
Within these units, students are practicing and learning fundamental life skills such as note-taking, collaborating, presenting their work in small or whole groups through PowerPoint presentations, websites, or even short films. In addition, students will have the opportunity to observe, write, and reflect.
My Role as an Art Educator
My role as an art educator is to create a learning environment that meets the needs of a diverse group of students. Each student is unique, with varying experiences, abilities, and learning styles. My goal is to ensure each child’s need is addressed. I want all of my students to have access to and understand the curriculum. I believe in Universal Design in that students should have multiple means of representation to acquire knowledge, numerous means of expression to demonstrate mastery, and various means of engagement to challenge and motivate all learners.
“Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.” – Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Cooperate Communications, Xerox Corporation.
Welcome to the Art Side 