Blog

Art and science are often portrayed more as art vs. science; as if the two are diametrically opposed. But anyone who’s watched leaves change color or looked at an image in a microscope knows that biology ‘creates’ amazing art.  Arts-integrated schools even use art to teach biology. In fact, biology is so loaded with complex...

You can totally use acting skills in the real world. (And we’re not talking about The Real World program, which was anything but.) But if you’re a young actor, or the parent of one, you might believe that studying acting is a dead-end road.  We’re here to tell you that’s just not true.  When Does...

Why is arts education in the U.S. so increasingly an afterthought? It often seems that the folks at the helm of doling out the funds don’t grasp just how vital the arts are in creating a whole child.  After all, the arts can introduce students to a wide range of subjects in a way that’s...

Did you know that rippling eight-pack abs are one of the physical benefits of art?  Okay. They’re not. That was a blatant lie. In previous posts, we explored the mental benefits that doing and viewing art delivers. For the more inquiring among us, it may just beg the question:  Are There Physical Benefits of Art?...

You might be thinking it’s too late to embrace youth art month. After all, March is more than half over. Fair enough. Maybe we dropped the ball a little on getting the word out about Youth Art Month (YAM). But at our arts academy middle school and high school, our educators advocate for quality art...

As further evidence of the amazing mental health benefits of making art, we present the ever-widening field of creative therapies. Sure, you’ve probably heard of physical therapy, talk therapy, and maybe even primal scream therapy (though you’re dating yourself). But what, pray tell, are creative therapies?  Let’s take a deep dive. What Are Creative Therapies?...

If you’re thinking about traveling this summer, consider taking a tour of some funky art/music museums. There are some serious benefits to taking in the creative work of others. Especially for artists and musicians who are seeking inspiration. And while the conventional museums are must-sees in their own right, there’s something additionally inspiring about wandering...

It’s not unusual to find students learning social studies through dance in an arts academy middle school or high school. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to teach this topic. Dance is the ultimate physical form of expression. It’s even recommended in somatic healing modalities to release trauma from the body.  The...

If you’re a visual artist, you probably know all too well the sometimes not-so-clear line between inspiration vs. copying.  You may be really into a specific artist and studying everything they do. Then you suddenly find yourself creating work that is eerily similar to theirs.  Soon enough, you start to wonder if your curiosity has...

When you’re looking at or making art, how often to find yourself thinking, “I like it,” or “I don’t like it”? What if, instead, you focused on engaging with and creating art mindfully? There’s nothing wrong with having preferences. But step away from being the critic for a bit.  Because when you’re able to contemplate...