Visual Arts: Becoming Key to Future Careers

This article aims to assist school principals, teachers, parents, learners, and anyone involved in educational development or curricular decision-making in understanding why it is increasingly important to support and encourage learners to engage in arts education.

Having been involved in arts education for over two decades, I have had the privilege of guiding and mentoring many learners, particularly those at a crossroads in their career decision-making. Many of these students contemplate entering the creative industry, and I have been there to support them through this important process.

Working primarily with FET phase learners—who are at the stage where they must make crucial decisions about their future careers—can be overwhelming. At 15 or 16 years of age, the weight of choosing the right subjects for a future career can feel daunting.

To better assist my students and their parents, I recently conducted research into the future career landscape and the evolving job market. The urgency behind this decision stemmed from my reflections on a world that is rapidly changing in multiple ways. To effectively guide others, it is crucial to stay informed about shifting career trends and ensure our perspectives remain relevant.

We must move away from the outdated belief that success lies only in conventional career paths. Dismissing the Arts as a viable future without doing our own research is both limiting and uninformed. As industries evolve at an unprecedented pace—even as you read this—it is essential to stay aware, challenge assumptions, and recognize the vast opportunities emerging in creative fields.

According to an article written by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) in Virginia USA (2021), research on employment trends and the expectation that new career opportunities will continue to emerge, Visual Arts education plays a crucial role in every learner’s foundational education and career preparation. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, creativity is becoming more highly valued.

What stood out for me most, was the following: the NAEA stated that CEOs consistently rank it as the top trait they seek when hiring. As the future workforce’s innovators and contributors, learners must have continuous access to a structured visual arts education throughout their GrR-12 schooling to develop the creative skills essential for success.  

The article further reads, that Visual arts education develops skills of deeper understanding and divergent thinking while also playing a vital role in cultivating collaboration, communication, critical thinking, curiosity, innovation, and problem solving, additional key competencies desired by employers. 

What I wholeheartedly agree with is the crucial conclusion that education in visual arts has a positive effect on business, industry, research, and service sectors, enriching skills that are valuable across multiple disciplines. Moreover, lucrative careers in art, design, and digital industries are widely available, contributing to a multi-billion-dollar economy in numerous regions. 

On a national and global scale, the arts generate significant financial impact, growing exponentially. Ensuring access to visual arts education for all is a forward-thinking approach that equips individuals for successful careers both now and in the future.

Schools are institutions that needs to be led by forward-thinkers and thought leaders. This is essential to effectively guide the next generation, helping them make informed decisions and prepare for successful careers.

It is our responsibility to stay relevant and well-informed so that we can guide students in choosing the right career path and make them aware of the opportunities available to them.

Another important point to consider is what was currently stated in the Wall Street Journal (2025), that some parents working in the tech sector advocate for their children to pursue arts education. They recognize that while AI can automate technical tasks, uniquely human skills developed through the arts, such as creativity and emotional intelligence, remain invaluable.

I tend to agree with the following statement I read in an article written for a project "The values of Art Education" (Art for Life's Sake) -We often heard in our outreach that the arts are misunderstood; a leader in arts education advocacy, noted that “decision-makers may have a flawed vision of what arts learning is in their heads, and they make decisions based on that vision.” 

All artforms and the appreciation thereof needs to be cultivated from a young age, it is important to develop well-rounded individuals. It is important to motivate and also emphasise the importance of arts education in educational institutions. 

Lastly I want to quote another statement that supports my beliefs as well as experiences by Rabkin and Hedberg, "Arts Education in America: 

the arts should not be viewed as a frill or subservient to other disciplines. Knowledge of the Renaissance, the Harlem Renaissance, pottery crafting techniques, or the fundamentals of perspective and design holds no less value than knowing the chemical formula for photosynthesis or how to calculate the circumference of a circle. And for many, it will mean much more. Indeed, research from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found that childhood arts exposure is the number one predictor of arts participation as an adult. Without that exposure, this window to the world remains hidden."

I appreciate you taking the time to read my article. The various statements and quotes included are meant to emphasize the experiences and perspectives of others who share our journey and felt compelled to address the issues we face today.

In conclusion, I urge everyone in the field of education to remain open-minded regarding the valid insights presented in this writing. Rather than being part of schools that lag behind, let's strive to be educators who champion divergent thinking. It is essential to prioritize arts education equally with other subjects available to learners, as this will help  them shape their future career paths.

Article written by Tanja van Biljon (BA Hons degree in Arts) artist, educator, owner of Bud & Blossom 'Creatives' (Pty)Ltd.   contact +27 82 388 2114 

Sources: 

https://www.amacad.org/publication/case-for-arts-education

https://www.wsj.com/

https://www.arteducators.org