Art class, a key component in the journey to express yourself. Are art classes required to succeed or are they not all they’re cut out to be? For this article we will mainly be exploring the visual forms of art.

In favor of classes, benefits are undeniable. It is a structured environment that provides a foundation. Learning the technical aspects of drawing, painting, sculpting, and other mediums is crucial. Mastering perspective, understanding color theory, and developing hand-eye coordination, are skills that can be honed in a classroom setting. Experienced teachers offer valuable feedback, pointing out errors otherwise uninformed artists wouldn’t have been able to catch. 

Furthermore, art classes allow for more questions out of the box questions, as not everything can be learned online or with books. You may have questions that cannot be answered that way, which may be able to be answered in an art class. Along with the fact you can show your work to your peers, a fact that Maddie Guan (10) reciprocates, “Art class is important, because it gives people the chance to express themselves.”

However, the drawbacks are equally significant. Art classes, especially those focused on traditional techniques, may unintentionally stifle creativity. As most art classes teach a specific way to do something, which can prevent artists from getting their own style. The pressure of not adhering to the often strict standards of art classes can be suffocating and demotivating for aspiring artists.

Along with the worst part of art classes, deadlines and requirements. Not only do deadlines cause stress for artists who often take different amounts of time to complete pieces, they may rush and not produce their best in favor of meeting the deadline. This can be demotivating and turn the passion of creating art into a dreadful chore that you do because you need to do it for a good grade instead of out of love for the craft.

For aspiring artists, the key lies in balance. Art class can be a valuable tool, but it should not be treated as the only way to achieve artistic success. Don’t use it as the definitive guide and “right way” to do things. Instead use the knowledge as a tool that aids you in creating your own unique way of creating art, in other words, It’s alright if you do or don’t take art classes, some need help from others to learn, and some may learn better through self teaching.