What Happens to a Child's Brain When They Study the Arts?
Does arts education actually affect my child's brain?
Yes - and the science is clear! Research from seven major universities, compiled in the Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition, found tight correlations between arts training and measurable improvements in cognition, attention, and learning. Arts training doesn't just teach children to paint or play violin — it rewires how their brains process information. Source: Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium / Johns Hopkins University Neuro-Education Initiative How does arts training improve focus and attention? The Dana Consortium researchers studied how arts training influences attention — one of the most critical skills for academic success. Their findings suggest that: arts engage specific brain networks; children with arts training develop higher motivation; sustained motivation strengthens attention; and improved attention leads to better cognitive performance across subjects. In short, the arts train children to focus in ways that benefit all of their learning.
Source: Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition, Harvard/Dana Foundation
What are the benefits beyond music, such as visual arts, ballet, or theatre?
Neuroscience research shows that all art forms — music, art, dance, and drama — engage all the senses and wire the brain for successful learning. Research from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found that children who regularly attended dance classes developed stronger prosocial behaviors, such as cooperation, while reducing anxious and aggressive behaviors. Visual arts education has been shown to build spatial cognition, which is directly linked to stronger skills in math, science, and technology.
Source: KQED MindShift; ERIC: "How the Arts Develop the Young Brain"; NEA 2015 Literature Review
Do the arts help with academic performance in other subjects?
Absolutely! Research consistently shows that children involved in arts programs perform better academically — including in math and language arts — than those who are not. A study cited in the Journal for Learning through the Arts found that students who took more art classes scored higher on verbal, math, and composite SAT scores. Additional research also confirms these gains are lasting, not temporary, leading to higher levels of reasoning and critical thinking over time.
Source: Journal for Learning through the Arts; Playto.com, "The Role of Art in Early Childhood Cognitive Growth" (2025)
Is arts education required in Pennsylvania schools?
Yes. Under Pennsylvania's Chapter 4 Academic Standards (22 Pa. Code § 4.11), all students in grades K–12 must receive instruction in all four arts disciplines: dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. These are not optional enrichment activities.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Chapter 4 Regulations; PMEA Arts Education Requirements
How does Philadelphia Performing Arts approach arts education?
Arts education is at the heart of what we do. At Philadelphia Performing Arts, the arts are not an add-on — they are woven into the core of every student's educational experience. Our students receive rigorous instruction in the performing and visual arts every day, well beyond Pennsylvania's minimum requirements.