Impact of arts participation on children’s achievement: A systematic literature review

Divya Jindal-Snape (Lead / Corresponding author), Dan Davies, Rosalind Scott, Anna Robb, Christopher Murray, Christopher Harkins

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)
    961 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    This paper reports on a systematic literature review to examine the association between children and young people’s participation in arts activities and their academic achievement. The 24 studies that met our criteria for inclusion and weight of evidence (2004-16) had mixed findings. Whilst many of the research designs employed would not meet positivist criteria for rigour – such as sample size, statistical significance and causality – typically required by public bodies to justify expenditure, there are examples throughout the literature reviewed of academically-related benefits to participants, such as increased confidence, creativity or more positive attitude towards their studies. Overall, there appears to be some justification from the literature for public investment in high-quality, long-term arts education programmes for children and young people in schools and community settings, on the basis of its potential to enhance academic achievement. However, there may be more intrinsic benefits to arts participation than the instrumental, essentially economic justification of improved academic standards.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)59-70
    Number of pages12
    JournalThinking Skills and Creativity
    Volume29
    Early online date23 Jun 2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2018

    Keywords

    • Achievement
    • Art
    • Community
    • Impact
    • Nursery
    • Participation
    • Primary school
    • Secondary school
    • Systematic literature review

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Education

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