Integrated Learning in Elementary Arts Education: Problems and Possibilities

• In Event: Creativity and Arts Integration

Abstract

An important strategy in arts education advocacy and policy is arts integration. Arts integration as advocacy creates a rationale for the arts based on the enhancement of the educational experience for all students and the potential to bring underserved or less engaged students into STEM disciplines. This paper describes a multi-faceted study across four school districts with 640 participants including classroom teachers and arts specialists. Using interviews, classroom visits, and surveys, we sought to understand both arts integration and how collaboration happens between elementary and arts specialists in visual arts, music, dance, and drama. The data suggest that effective integration and collaboration requires structural and policy support at many levels as well as the creativity and energy of individual teachers.

Authors

• Mark A. Graham, Brigham Young University

• Tara Carpenter, Brigham Young University