If you think that dance, visual arts, and theater don’t have a place in the math classroom, you better think again. Actually, you better Think 360 Arts! This Denver-based non-profit organization is keeping the 1970’s Artist-in-Schools philosophy alive today by continuing to foster art integration in education. Not only do they bring professional artists into the classrooms of ALL subjects but bring teachers together with artists to learn how to infuse art into their curriculum. So who are these artist teachers and what is art integration all about??
The Artists
The Think 360 Arts professional teaching-artists have spent the vast majority of their lives dedicated to an art form – whether it is storytelling, music, writing, dance, sculpture, photography, etc. etc.. They are talented, and seasoned individuals who have been expressing themselves creatively in the “real world” and want to share that knowledge and experience in the classroom. Jane Page, a professional theater director and long-time teaching-artist with Think 360 Arts explains, “The art form becomes an engine which adds a new perspective on what is already being taught in the classroom. The resulting curriculum connections are made in concert with the teachers whose classes are involved in the program. The connections in my programs have encompassed math, science, literature, history, social studies, and character education.”
Check out the Think 360 Arts roster of exquisite professional artist teachers

The Importance of Art Education
First and foremost art education cultivates creativity on the most basic level. Creativity is defined as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, and interpretations. So infusing a rational, right-brained subject like math, with song or dance not only captures the attention of students, but allows them to think about it in an entirely different way…utilizing BOTH sides of their brain and “thinking outside the box”. Cultivating creativity and creative expression at an early age is also beneficial down the line for it serves as a coping mechanism for emotional challenges that tweenagers and teenagers may not have the skills to express verbally.
Art education also bolsters skills for the 21st century workforce though critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to express yourself and communicate ideas, and cross cultural understanding – all of which support academic success across the curriculum.
Overall Impact
A true trifecta exists in the world of art education. For students, working with a professional artist not only provides them with added skills in the specific art form, but often introduces them to a new kind of relationship with an adult. Many children have had a fairly limited view of adults: they are parents, family members, teachers, religious leaders or the police. So getting to know an adult whose life and work is a bit untraditional is a new experience, and sometimes it opens their eyes to opportunities that might exist for them as they grow up. For teachers, they are able to witness first-hand how creativity and learning in a different way can inspire their students, AND themselves – many times sparking the artist within themselves and encourage them to refuel, rethink and re-envision themselves and their teaching. For teaching artists, they are rewarded by the personal connections, interactions and joy of sharing. “Learning to communicate and express yourself is a great asset in any facet of life and I enjoy helping students learn to do that.”, states Jeff Finlin, critically claimed writer and singer-songwriter and artist teacher for Think 360 Arts.
www.think360arts.org