The imperative of arts in general education: Do the arts enhance quality learning?

The arts have been part of human endeavor throughout the history of civilization. They have defined cultures and enriched our lives. Despite their value, the arts have not been given equal priority with other academic disciplines, either in K–12 or in tertiary education. Recognizing the value of arts education for the overall cognitive development of students, this article evaluates the impact of arts courses in a university setting through a General Education program. Pre-and post-surveys (N=203 for the Study Process Questionnaire and N=163 for the Learning Experience Inventory) were conducted to evaluate what was learned in these courses, and the results show that there was a positive impact on students’ capacity for quality learning. The study indicates the importance of arts education for student learning and the power of the arts in General Education.