While art education is a fundamental component of many children’s early life, the reality is that art education (and its benefits) isn’t just for youth. More than ever, researchers are discovering the lifelong benefits of art education for adults of all ages. From fostering a greater sense of creativity to improving aspects of psychological well-being, there’s a lot to be said about the power of art well beyond the school years.
The Value of Art Education for Adults
From community art classes to art therapy for adults, the numerous benefits of art for adults have been well-researched and documented over the years.
Boosting Creativity and Innovation
For starters, adult art classes may provide students with the opportunity to exercise their creativity in ways that may not be otherwise explored. In this sense, art provides an essential platform for creative expression, exploration and innovation.
In one editorial published in Studies in the Education of Adults, the authors explain that “the arts and creativity play such a key role in how people make sense of and explain their worlds; scholars in adult education have in force entered the realm of imagination, experimentation and the human aesthetic dimension as the capacity for creativity.”
Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being
From a mental health standpoint, creative hobbies for adults (like adult drawing classes and community art programs) may also support improved mental health. One 2022 article titled Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review describes how art therapy can behelpful in the treatment of “depression, dementia, schizophrenia and psychosis.” It then goes on to explain how “participating in creative activities can help people cope with stress and despair and alleviate the burden of chronic mental illnesses.”
Building Community Connections
Finally, participating in continuing art education (such as in the form of community art classes for adults) can help people feel more connected to the communities in which they live while fostering a stronger sense of personal identity.
A 2024 study on The Role of Art in Building Community Identity and Health, published in the Research Output Journal of Education, found that artistic engagement offers clear benefits for mental and physical well-being, strengthens social bonds and inspires civic pride. The study explains that art inherently captures and expresses the essence of the communities that create it.
Understanding the Needs of Adult Learners
While it may be easy to see the potential benefits of ongoing art education and creative classes for adults, it’s also essential for educators to understand (and cater to) the unique needs of the adult learner.
Balancing Learning With Busy Schedules
Perhaps above all else, educators must remember that an adult enrolled in a beginner painting or drawing class likely has many other responsibilities and priorities on their plate. With this in mind, educators should offer flexibility in their coursework as a means of supporting busy students and balancing their learning with other important obligations.
Addressing Varied Skill Levels
When it comes to how to teach art to adults, educators should also keep in mind that skill levels and abilities between students may vary drastically. Some students may be coming into continuing education art classes with very little experience or confidence, whereas others may have taken extensive coursework or even be self-taught. Regardless, educators should be prepared to adapt and tailor their teaching to students’ needs, meeting them where they are.
Encouraging Self-Directed Learning
Taking art classes as an adult is really all about finding and exploring one’s own unique strengths and interests. Art educators can encourage this by setting students up for success with self-directed learning. Art educators can achieve this by cultivating a supportive classroom atmosphere, acknowledging each stage of the creative journey and providing a wide array of learning materials.
Teaching Strategies for Engaging Adults in Art
For educators looking to increase engagement in art workshops for adults, approaches like project-based learning, group activities and the use of digital tools can make all the difference.
Project-Based Learning
Many art educators rely on project-based learning (PBL) to boost engagement among adult learners. This strategy, which involves encouraging students to participate in practical, hands-on projects that require real-time problem-solving, can be an ideal way to enhance creativity and experimentation while transforming observers into active participants.
Collaborative and Group Activities
Art educators working with adult learners may also rely on group projects and activities (such as collaborative murals, communal collages and even recreations of famous works) to bring students together. This level of collaboration can also help students develop valuable teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills that may translate to other areas of their lives.
Integrating Technology and Digital Tools
Today, in both in-person and virtual art classes for adults, educators have access to a wide range of tools and technologies that can elevate learning and expose students to new experiences. Some educators, for example, may utilize digital art tools (such as drawing tablets and graphic design software) to enable students to experiment with art in various ways. Meanwhile, technologies like digital art portfolios and learning management systems (LMS) make it possible for students to collaborate and connect — even when they can’t see each other face-to-face.
Popular Art Forms for Adult Education
So, what forms of art are among the most engaging and applicable to adult learners? Whether you’re teaching adult beginner art classes or more advanced workshops, there are a few art forms to consider working into your lessons.
Painting and Drawing
Working with pencils, paint brushes and other familiar tools can be an excellent way for adult learners to develop their skills without venturing too far out of their comfort zones. Plus, lessons in these art forms may be easier to tailor to different learning styles and levels of ability.
Photography and Digital Art
With more learners now having access to quality photography and editing tools in smartphones, photography and digital art may also be suitable to incorporate into an adult art class. Students may enjoy the experience of exploring different photography strategies while experimenting with digital editing tools — all without the need for expensive or professional-level equipment.
Craft and Mixed Media
Art educators may also consider incorporating crafts and mixed media projects into art classes for beginner adults and even intermediate or advanced classes. Dabbling in different forms of media and textile arts (like collages, knitting and even visual journaling), students can be exposed to a wide range of mediums and find what interests them most.
Encouraging Lifelong Artistic Growth
Whether students are interested in potential careers as artists or are simply dabbling in a new hobby, educators should encourage lifelong artistic growth by helping students set personal goals, giving them opportunities to share their work and encouraging continuing education.
Setting Personal Creative Goals
No two learners are on the same journey, so it is the job of the art educator to tune into each learner’s unique interests, strengths and creative goals. Through getting to know each student individually, educators can help them set personal, creative goals that are clear and attainable. Educators can also help students overcome common barriers to artistic growth by offering constructive feedback, encouraging experimentation and ensuring that busy students have access to flexible learning options.
Showcasing and Sharing Work
Another great way for art educators to build students’ creative confidence and pursue further growth is to give them plenty of opportunities to share and display their work in a supportive environment. When artists can showcase their work (be it in a student art gallery or even a digital gallery), they tend to feel more authentic as artists and may be able to overcome common barriers to participation. Likewise, offering options for students to engage in peer feedback can take learning to the next level.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Last but not least, art educators should be proactive about researching other opportunities that adult learners may be interested in and share them, either with the entire class or with individual students as they see fit. Suppose you have a student who has shown a specific interest in painting, for example. In that case, you might share resources for local painting classes for adults while encouraging the student to further refine their craft.
In other words, art educators shouldn’t assume that adult learners have the resources (or time) to proactively explore these opportunities on their own. Educators can empower students to continue developing their artistic abilities and exploring new interests by providing personalized recommendations.
Discover More in an Art Education Program
Art education provides numerous advantages for adults, even those who view art more as a hobby than a potential career. These benefits range from fostering creativity and bolstering mental well-being to forging significant community ties.
If you’re passionate about inspiring people of all ages to harness and experience the transformative power of art education, then maybe it’s time to pursue your degree. A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) could give you the opportunity to explore the technical tools and philosophies needed to make a difference in students’ lives.
Plus, this program is offered both online and on campus to suit your schedule and learning needs. Drop us a line to learn more about RMCAD’s Art Education program today, or take the next step by starting your online application for admission.
