When given the choice between Arts and Athletics, where should public high schools be investing their money? Though athletics are major contributors to lowering childhood obesity, a career in the arts may be a bit more promising.

   A career in athletics can only take a student so far. Based on a study by Georgia State University, only two percent of high school athletes will play sports at a collegiate level of any kind. Also, less than 1 out of 100 high school athletes will receive any form of athletic scholarship. And only 1 in 16,000 high school athletes will actually have a career in professional sports. The numbers aren’t encouraging. So when having to make the choice, why do the arts seem to be the first to go? 

   Jobs in arts are so broad that they range from actors and directors, to interior and graphic designers. According to ArtsUSA online, the nonprofit arts and culture industries have sustained 5.7 million full-time jobs in the U.S. alone. Generating $104.2 billion in household income and $166.2 billion in economic activity every year, the arts have established themselves as a prominent field. In addition to the millions of job opportunities, The College for Creative Studies, one of the nation’s most impressive art schools, claims that 98 percent of their students will receive some form of financial assistance.

   Not only do the arts offer many career opportunities, they are also proven to be linked with academic success. Based on a 1999 study by James S. Cat­ter­all, a pro­fes­sor at UCLA, high school stu­dents with strong participation in the­ater or music scored an aver­age of 16 to 18 per­cent higher on stan­dard­ized tests than those with low arts involvement. In a 2008 study headed by psychologist Michael Posner, it was concluded that the arts help train children’s atten­tion, which in turn improves cognition. Neu­ropsy­chol­o­gist, Eliz­a­beth Spelke, also discovered that children with intensive musical training did better on certain geometry tasks and map readings. Many others have come to the same conclusion that there is a direct link between arts and academic improvement.

   The lack of art programs in public high schools is discouraging to the creative thinker. The arts are diminishing in their most opportune time. America is in need of creative minds, creative people and creative technologies. With all the benefits the arts have to offer, it’s an appropriate time for public schools to re-evaluate their spending.  

Athletics

   Sports are ways an escape for people to express themselves in life. It takes out all the anger and players focus more on the game rather than their problems.

   More funding for sports would be a great opportunity for teams to play stronger and harder. Sports provide exercise, learning experiences and communication, all of which are needed throughout life. America is facing major obesity and what better way to get people healthier and in better shape than through sports? More money for sports helps with safety and the health of teens. Funding helps keep up the fields and the courts. Sports need better equipment to stay safe. The turf needs to be in proper shape, courts cannot be dented and wrestlers need protective mats.  

   “It gives them an outlet and keeps them physically fit; Team work is good not only in a sport but also in a classroom. I think more kids should have teamwork. It helps them interact with others and help find their individuality,” says James Roehm, girls varsity basketball coach. In any sport you always practice, practice takes up most of your time. When participating in sports your team is always with you and you become a family. Along with being so close, you have to trust your teammates, with not only the game but with your feelings. You learn responsibility, focus, trust and you get the feeling of success. Sports give you a bond that arts and academics do not provide you. You make friends much easier and you bond with one another when you are on a team. Teammates have a language that others don’t understand. They have the unique sense of bonding called teamwork, and that teaches more than any textbook or colorful artwork.

   Sports players and coaches don’t necessarily want money just for new fields or courts, but for protective gear, cushioning and supplies to fulfill the tasks players need to stay safe and healthy. For sports you don’t need a 4.0 grade point average to participate. If you are not the best in school and not sure whether you can qualify for an academic scholarship, your next resort are sports scholarships.  If you are a great athlete, colleges will be scoping you out and will do anything in their power to get you on their team.

   Participating in sports provides you with better social skills and communication, than you would learn from arts and academics. Staying healthy does not necessarily mean being skinny or lean, it means living a healthier lifestyle.