Hundreds of works of art from students at five elementary schools were displayed at the annual artsLINK exhibit May 30 – June 24 on the Loyola Marymount University campus. The exhibit was hosted by the School of Education’s Family of Schools and the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

 

The artsLINK program connects LMU arts resources and faculty expertise with Westchester elementary schools. Terry Lenihan, arts consultant for the program, remarked that training in the arts is essential to a complete education.

 

“Research into the impact of arts education on student learning and development has been rising,” she said.  “Studies show that students with high levels of arts participation outperform their peers with little or no arts education. Arts education develops the whole child by fostering creativity and by building visual intelligence, self-esteem, and problem-solving skills.”

 

 

Organizers of the artsLINK program plan to hold another student exhibit and an arts workshop series for teachers during the 2009-2010 school year. The workshops aim to increase teachers’ knowledge of the arts and ability to teach the arts to children.

 

 “artsLINK is putting the university at the heart of the community in service and partnership with the public schools and the students and families surrounding the campus,” said Drew Furedi, senior director of the LMU Family of Schools. “We are excited to continue the work of building a bridge between the Westchester community and LMU.”