BENEFITS OF ARTS EDUCATION

(This piece was published in Baboo's regular column DATELINE BAGUIO last Sept 12, 2010. Baboo was responsible for having my workshop held in Baguio)

Teachers of Baguio and Benguet spent a day with John Silva acquainting them with art education last Friday. As participants of the “I LOVE MUSEUMS” Art Appreciation Workshop at the BenCab Museum, John took them through Philippine history and culture by showing old photographs of Philippine settings and national heroes. The participants, most of whom were public school teachers, learned the different aspects of art education.

According to John, signs of an artistic child are they like to sketch, act, sing and write. They are pensive and sensitive and are usually not sports minded. They read a lot and have disciplinary problems. He said arts educated students are four times more likely to have higher math and science scores, involved in student’s affairs, literate and curious and engage in voluntary work.

He discussed the qualitative dimension of arts education among children and gave some examples. Children who read develop empathy to people around them. Those who paint will notice the ugliness around and want to change it. Actors most likely develop confidence to be leaders. Dancers learn grace and how to endure strength. And writers can inspire and change the world. Art educated children are also deemed more insightful, inquisitive, well-rounded, passionate and most likely will be model citizens. And more importantly arts education transports Filipinos to another level of pride and patriotism. If they internalize history and culture, they can be citizens in a true sense.

Tips were given on how to develop aesthetic sensibility in a student. Top of the list was turn off the TV or minimize its use. Explore your city, province and country and the world if there is an opportunity as this widens perspective. And always look for detail

The whole day passed quickly and John proved to be a very interesting resource person. There was no dull or sleepy moment during the day’s workshop. He advised the teachers “not to be boring” and to teach like they were telling a story. Teachers must inspire their students and excite them and make them want to look forward to coming to school.

Elements of aesthetics were identified as color, lines, shapes/forms, textures, composition and artist’s intention. With the use of cameras in their cell phones, the teachers were asked to look out for these elements in the museum after which he critiqued their photographs.

National artist Ben Cabrera took the teachers on a tour around the museum. For most of them, it was their first time to step in there. John also gave some tips on how to set up or establish museums in schools and the community. He recognized some teachers who took initiative or bring arts education on the higher level.

Everyone went home carrying “Loving the Arts, ” A Workbook for Public School Teachers by John Silva published by Synergeia and Superferry Project. Many of them left with different eyes with which to look at the world.