This year’s Little Basel theme is “Memento” and the campus is now covered in beautiful works of art that represent students’ memories and feelings toward the arts, as well as the campus move. This art-making and reflection process has reminded us of the immense value of visual arts education for young students.
Among the top benefits are:
- Fostering Creativity and Self-Expression: Visual arts allow students to tap into their innate creativity, giving them an outlet to express their unique perspectives and emotions. As evidenced by the recent “Little Basel” art exhibition, students beamed with pride and joy when sharing reflections on their artistic works. I encourage you to not only look at students’ art work but also read their reflections.
- Improved Academic Performance: Engaging in visual arts has been linked to enhanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and even performance in core subjects like math and language arts. The creative thinking cultivated through art transcends the art studio.
- Developing Fine Motor Skills: From painting to sculpting, visual arts activities challenge students’ dexterity and hand-eye coordination, building fine motor abilities that support learning across the curriculum. For our younger learners, this is particularly important as the fine motor skills transfers toward their ability to write.
The transformative impact of visual arts on primary and middle schoolers is clear. By nurturing creativity, bolstering academics, and refining motor skills, visual arts provide an invaluable educational experience. Further, as we prepare for a major transition as a school community, the arts serve as a powerful platform for students to express how they are feeling about this next chapter.
We look forward to welcoming you all to Little Basel tomorrow.
