Advocating for the arts

When advocating for the arts in your school, I think that the most effective argument is that it makes for a well-rounded student who is good at problem solving. Although art is not tested in the standardized tests, problem solving is something that will help the students achieve better test scores. Although I HATE having to compare a students academic success to how they score on those tests, that is how most school districts view the importance of certain subject areas over others. The risk with advocating for the arts in this way is that the school might only see art as it relates to other subjects, and miss the art for art sake argument of things. I think this can be VERY dangerous because it continues to heighten the stresses put on math, science, and reading and refuses to recognize that there are other types of intelligences that are equally important. At the elementary level I think it is important to advocate for the arts because they need more play in their day to encourage creativity, produce a well rounded student, and to avoided providing stress for students at such a young age.
I think that you could involve your students in the advocating by having them do service learning projects and other instalments around the school. This makes the art-minded people feel included in the school community and shows the administration that there is talent and importance in the subject area. It also show what it can do to your community, and people in need. Which are both very positive aspects of art that could encourage a school to keep the arts in their school. You can "go-with-the-flow" in the respect that when a administration gives you a limit you need to take it creatively but also keep within the parameters. This way you do not get in trouble but are continuing to show that art is important.