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Health & Fitness

Arts Education in the Information Age

A strong arts education promotes the skills that our children need to be successful in the digital information age.

Technology continues to empower our children to explore, create, and share their interests in new ways (both in and out of school). With this in mind, ensuring continued access to a quality arts education for our children is even more important.

Every day our children spend numerous hours watching television, playing video games or 'surfing' the internet on a computer or with a mobile device. Although sound and text is involved, these activities are primarily 'visual' in nature. There is no doubt that the digital age has transformed the way young people learn and perceive the world. Similarly, the predominance of visual images coupled with a demand for new abilities has also transformed the workplace.

Most of us instinctively know that art is important for our children; we believe it because we've seen our children deeply involved in art. But why? When in comes to communication and innovation, artists have always been on the cutting edge of technology. Consider the pencil, the camera or the many uses of color. Artists are always looking for new ways to communicate and express themselves. As we continue to become more inundated with visual content in the information age, it is easier to understand and see why the artistic process becomes much more valuable.

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We are no longer in the dawn of the information age; we are witness to a world where learning is not limited to simply what you know but how you can find information and use that information quickly, creatively, and cooperatively. The primary sources of information is no longer the teacher, lectures or textbooks.

Workplace demands for our children to learn and understand how to solve complex problems, demonstrate creativity by suggesting new ideas and to communicate to the global marketplace. The arts support these needs, even more so in the increasingly 'visual' digital information age that we live in.

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There is little doubt that a strong arts education promotes the skills that children need to be successful. Exposure to an education rich in the arts promotes self-directed learning, improves school attendance, sharpens critical and creative skills and helps our children prepare for tomorrow's work environment. Creating art expands a child's ability to interact with the world around them and provides a new set of skills for self-expression and communication.

Please continue to support the arts in our community. A strong arts education promotes the skills that our children need to be successful in the digital information age.

For more information about our exhibitions, class schedules, events or volunteer opportunities, please visit us at www.AnkenyArtCenter.com, stop by and visit our gallery at 1520 SW Ordnance Road, Ankeny. Our gallery hours are: Tu-Fr: 9a-1p, Th: 4p-7p, Sa: 9a-noon and you can reach us by phone at 515-965-0940 or email at: ankenyarts@ankenyartcenter.com. Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AnkenyArtCenter

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