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The Importance of Creative Activities for Youth The importance of art activities for our community youth is something that is often overlooked. In our society, art education & activities are at the mercy of a number of factors: various budget cuts, the social value of art education, the quality of teachers/instructors that teach creative activities and the attitudes of the community members. If each community had “enough” funding to offer inexpensive after school activities and quality classes in school, there might not be a question whether or not art activities are vital. Art (whether it is creative writing, dance, theater, or visual arts) is known to promote empathy, one of the prerequisites to becoming a good citizen. The process of creating builds skills such as creative problem solving, it helps develop youth’s intellectual capabilities, it develops the intuitive reasoning (or right side of the brain), and it also can allow children to examine their own thoughts and feelings. Often students can discover a new understanding of themselves and others through creative activities. Below are suggestions to help nurture that creativity in you or
the child in your life:
o OBSERVATION is very important. I always tell my students that an artist observes their surroundings. REALLY look at everything, notice details in trees, animals, buildings, clothing, faces, etc. o Go to a library and spend time. There are MANY books on all art forms at all of our libraries. Peter White Library offers craft classes, book clubs, and many resources (other libraries do too). o Turn off the TV and video games! Take time off from television. Read, write, explore, discuss, play, pretend and laugh! o Be a tourist in your own town! Go to the U.P. Children’s Museum, the Marquette County History Museum, the Ski Hall of Fame & Museum, The Marquette Maritime Museum, The Negaunee Historical Museum, The Forsyth Township Historical Museum, The Cliff Mine Museum, Michigan Iron Industry Museum, the NMU Art Museum, and observe history, art & the many museum exhibits! o Go to the many galleries we have in Marquette County. Children can go into galleries and enjoy looking at the art and discussing the art with an adult. o Encourage a child’s creativity. Hang up artwork
proudly! Go to a child’s program and recital. Encourage
skits at home. Have a dress up area somewhere that your child can
go to anytime they want to role-play! Bring a child to a local second
hand clothing store to “invest” in great inexpensive
dress up clothes (the bags sales are the best)! By Joy Bender Hadley, North Star Academy Art Educator & Community Partnership Coordinator
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