The arts invite students to be active participants in their world rather than mere observers of it. In the process of creating their own visions, students learn craftsmanship. An arts curriculum can teach students how all the expressive details work together and how important those details are.

“If you think about it, fine workmanship is the centerpiece of Japan’s economic triumph. ‘Made in Japan’ evokes a vastly different image today than it did in the 1930s. Why? Because the Japanese have learned to exercise craftsmanship in their industries. The arts require students to apply standards to their own work, to be self-critical, and to be able to self-correct. Through the arts, students learn self-discipline and how to handle frustration and failure in pursuit of their goals. These attributes are essential to a competent work force and well-made products.”

Source: “Strong Arts, Strong Schools,” Educational Leadership, Charles Fowler, November,1994.