WHAT IS INTEGRATED ARTS EDUCATION?

Arts Integrated Instruction has become an area of great interest over the past decade as schools across the country are discovering the power of the arts when used as a catalyst for teaching across the curriculum.  Arts integration refers to teaching and learning that uses fine and performing arts  instruction in two or more subject areas as a primary means of learning.  The purpose of this type of integrated instruction is to help students gain a deep understanding of an important concept that is common to all the subjects involved.  The John F. Kennedy Center defines arts integration as “an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject and meets evolving objectives in both.”  By combining knowledge and thinking in different disciplines, students learn to apply knowledge learned in one area to challenges in another area—a skill that will serve them well—both in school and in real life.  Arts integration means that the arts (dance, music, theatre and visual art) constitute one or more of the integrated subject areas. Arts integration is not a substitute for teaching the arts as separate subjects. Rather it complements traditional arts instruction and helps to affirm the relevance of the arts in the school curriculum.