From enjoying a Broadway musical to visiting an art gallery, it’s easy to celebrate art in a variety of its forms. But studying art? Diving into the nuts and bolts of how the creative process works? That idea often gives some well-meaning adults pause, especially when their kid says “mom, dad, I want to study to become an artist.” However, by providing students with an education supported by the arts, schools like Trinity Prep equip young adults with the tools they need to create, learn, and thrive. 

Develops courage and confidence 
The fear of public speaking affects roughly 75% of adults. However, the arts combat that common fear by pushing students out of their comfort zones. Theater students quite literally face that fear every single time they step onto a stage. Fine arts students develop that skill as they present a new piece at a gallery. The confidence to consistently put yourself out there is a skill arts students develop before a lot of other students.

Relieves stress and boosts brain health from creativity
The arts thrive off of creativity. Fine arts students doodle in the margins of their notes or create new workflows that help them process information. Theater students can think of new ways to express their thoughts off the stage and in the classroom, making them more effective communicators. When students are encouraged to think creatively, they reap psychological and physiological benefits. Studies show that doing something creative for as little as 10 minutes a day can reduce anxiety, relieve stress, and even help students process trauma. Creativity also releases dopamine into the system — meaning that students can be happier even in stressful situations. 

Gain a community
From pottery clubs to theater groups, arts educations give students a space where they can freely express themselves. That sense of community doesn’t stop once a student graduates; they’ll likely find more communities that support their artistic endeavors for the rest of their careers. 

Strengthen and broaden communication
Language is more than words on a page — although arts students can often use those words far more effectively than most. From dance to painting, arts education teaches students there are other ways to get a point across. Some of the most influential pieces of communication over the last century haven’t been great speeches but books, music, TV shows, and movies that have sparked public discourse and changed the tides of society. Even a hip-hop Broadway show like Hamilton reinvigorated discussion around the role of the Founding Fathers, racial equality, and women’s activism in US history. Arts education broadens the toolsets students use to express themselves and communicate with the world. 

There’s been a growing debate over the last few decades between STEM education vs arts education. At Trinity Prep, we recognize that both STEM and the arts provide students with critical soft skills as well as technical skills that will serve them no matter what path they choose for a career. On any given day, you can walk through our campus and hear the jazz band serenading on the concourse or the vocal society rehearsing. You’ll see a giant steamroller creating a massive new print designed by our design students, or maybe you’ll see a new installation from the potter club along one of our halls. If your child has a passion for the arts or wants to explore what those possibilities could be, inquire more about how Trinity Prep can help develop those skills.