WHY SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT IN A COLLEGE APPLICATION?

 Applying to some colleges can require a supplemental part of the application, a portfolio of student artwork. Students with an artistic talent who might not otherwise be as competitive academically can benefit from the chance to show the talented side of their qualifications. Many colleges are interested.

Why art the Arts so valuable?

According to the arts advocacy promotions of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), the California Art Education Association (CAEA), Americans for the Arts (AA), and other pro-arts business, culture and education organizations, the arts are an essential component of our economy; the arts create value in and of themselves, but also as creative components in other fields and organizations.

The skill sets of the arts are fundamental to businesses, the sciences, education, research and more. Daniel Pink’s nascent book, “Right Brained People Will Rule the World” aptly states that “the MFA is the new MBA”. Careers which use, apply or integrate the arts and creative processes are on the rise and an art degree has become a marketable skill set. A college major in the Arts may not be the only opportunity to develop arts skills. At the least, having a rich arts experience in high school is an opportunity to develop mastery in a visual or preforming art.

Reviews of undergraduate majors in 2 and 4 year colleges and universities nationally show options for the arts integrated studies across various disciplines. Art and Business examples most are familiar with include Design and Marketing. Talented college bound students can attract admissions officers interest without necessarily having to declare a major in the arts. This is another reason why it is so important for k-12 students to have the arts included in their education, so they have the opportunity to discover and develop their talents.

One medical school admissions officer explained that artists, musicians, dancers, performers and students with a developed talent make the best doctors. That theory holds true in further review. That’s for another discussion, perhaps a blog post.