RMCAD's Take on Using Art to Teach Critical Thinking Skills

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is highlighting how art education serves as a powerful tool for developing critical thinking skills in students of all ages. While traditional education often emphasizes logic and mathematics to build analytical abilities, art offers a unique cognitive pathway that requires observation, interpretation, decision-making and creative problem-solving.

The strength of art education lies in its ability to embrace multiple perspectives and interpretations. Unlike subjects with single correct answers, art invites students to analyze, question assumptions, consider context and justify their viewpoints. These are essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom, contributing to both professional and personal success.

"Whether students are designing a handmade book, developing a ceramic form, composing a digital illustration, or refining any visual idea through multiple prototypes, artmaking requires them to evaluate purpose, consider audience, and iterate with intention. These creative processes, when introduced in the K-12 space, cultivate the critical thinking skills that help learners embrace revision, navigate ambiguity, and persist through complex challenges, preparing them for success in a wide range of future careers." - Sarah Ackermann, PhD, Chair of Art Education, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

RMCAD emphasizes several proven methods for using art to build critical thinking abilities. The Socratic Method encourages students to explore possibilities and interpretations based on evidence, continuously prompting them with open-ended questions about artwork. Project-based learning allows students to tackle complex ideas through hands-on, creative assignments, working individually or in groups to explore the artistic process from concept to completion. RMCAD has examined these approaches in depth through its blog post on using art to teach critical thinking skills.
(https://www.rmcad.edu/blog/using-art-to-teach-critical-thinking-skills-in-the-classroom/ )

Group art critiques teach students to give and receive constructive feedback while considering multiple perspectives. These exercises develop reasoning, diplomacy and compromise-skills applicable to every area of life. Design challenges that encourage constraint-based problem-solving, such as creating artwork with limited materials or specific parameters, foster innovation and adaptability.

Research shows that students engaged in the arts tend to perform better across academic subjects. This improvement stems from transferable thinking skills cultivated through art-making and analysis, including pattern recognition, synthesis and complex reasoning. Art education also enhances emotional intelligence, enabling students to express themselves and understand diverse perspectives.

For those interested in pursuing careers that combine artistic skills with critical thinking development, RMCAD offers programs designed to nurture both creative and analytical abilities. The college's Art Education program (https://www.rmcad.edu/academics/program/online/art-education/) prepares graduates to become K-12 teachers who can guide young learners to become communicators, critical thinkers and problem solvers. Learn more about RMCAD's approach to developing critical thinking through art at rmcad.edu.

Source: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
(https://www.rmcad.edu/)

Contact: Jenna Heil, jheil@rmcad.edu, Joe Rubald, jrubald@rmcad.edu
Address: 1600 Pierce St, Lakewood, CO 80214

About RMCAD: Founded in 1963, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (https://www.rmcad.edu/) is an accredited institution of higher education that offers degree programs focused on the arts, design, education, technology and business. RMCAD serves its students from a 23-acre campus in Lakewood, Colorado, as well as virtually, having been a leader in online education for over a decade. RMCAD offers courses taught by practicing industry professionals; an intimate learning environment; multimedia-rich online classes; and a beautiful historic campus. The school strives to allow artists and designers to find their voice, discover their own paths and thrive as professionals.

This release was published on openPR.