Art can be an incredibly enriching avenue for self-expression, creativity, and critical thinking. It’s where thoughts, emotions, and ideas intertwine to create something truly unique and beautiful. Art is an engaging activity that allows us to unleash our creativity and express ourselves in a world often driven by fast-paced routines and technology.
Whether through painting, music, or other form, creating art requires us to think beyond the surface. It encourages us to experiment, take risks, and challenge conventions. As we mix colors on a palette or compose melodies, we tap into a fountain of innovation.
But how does critical thinking fit into this puzzle? How can something as expressive and subjective as art relate to sharpening our cognitive abilities? Let’s find out together as we explore how these seemingly unrelated concepts mesh together and the importance of each concept. We’ll also go over how various art forms invoke critical thinking. Let’s get started!
The Importance of Art, Critical Thinking, and Their Relationship
According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, art encompasses various creative modes of expression involving skill or imagination. These modes are used to design aesthetic objects, environments, and experiences that can be shared and appreciated by others.
When you hear the word art, what exactly comes to mind? Perhaps vivid paintings, melodic compositions, or intricate sculptures flash before your eyes. This is totally understandable since art usually takes form in these tangible mediums. However, art is more than just visual or auditory beauty—it’s a doorway to understanding the complexities of human existence.
What about critical thinking? The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines critical thinking as “careful thinking directed to a goal.” It is a process that involves reflecting on information to make sense of it, extracting meaning from it, and using that information to make a judgment or decision. Information can come from an internet news source, a book, conversations, and, of course, art.
With the exorbitant amount of information that bombards us from all directions in modern life, the ability to critically analyze and make sense of this vast array of content has become more crucial than ever. Think of it s a mental toolkit that helps us properly navigate the complexities of the increasingly evolving digital age.
The Relationship Between Art and Critical Thinking
According to an article by Walden University, educators investigating the connection between art and enhanced critical thinking skills point to several contributing factors. Specifically, art education trains students to examine the world closely. Fine art often holds intricate layers of elements and meanings.
Delving into, scrutinizing, and contemplating the numerous intricacies that comprise most artworks requires time. Engaging in this process of observation and study aids in cultivating students’ ability to keenly observe and scrutinize their surroundings—abilities that form the foundation of critical thinking.
In other words, art is a conversation between the artist and the observer or listener. In order to participate in and appreciate this complex dialogue, a certain level of critical thinking is necessary. That’s because these forms of artistic expression often hold layers of meaning that aren’t immediately evident.
The value of arts was emphasized when the letter “A” for arts was added to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) acronym to make the STEAM learning model. As stated by the author of a 2013 article that rationalizes the value of integrating arts into this learning model argues that integrating arts and sciences “produces a unique skill set” and “having the ability to simultaneously decompose a complex problem using convergent thinking and then apply the corresponding solution to the real world uses divergent thinking.”
As viewers or listeners, we’re challenged to dig beneath the surface and uncover what the artist wants to convey, their intentions, the underlying emotions, and the societal context. This deliberate method of peeling back layers encourages us to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate—all essential facets of critical thinking.
Moreover, the act of creation mirrors the critical thinking processes. Artists don’t always have a clear roadmap from start to finish. They encounter hurdles, make decisions, and adapt their approach. Like someone trying to solve a complex math problem, an artist tries to solve the creation process, making choices based on intuition and thoughtful analysis.
A study published in 2016 explored the connection between creative thinking and critical thinking skills of university students. During the fall semester of 2012, 174 participating students with an average age of 21.74 were involved. They used quantitative research–surveys and questionnaires–to analyze and interpret the data.
The findings showed that critical thinking positively affects creative thinking in low levels. This connection varied in strength, ranging from medium to significant, depending on the department of study. Notably, the Visual Arts Education and Religion & Ethics Education departments showed more significant correlations. However, the Mathematics and Preschool Education Departments saw no improvements.
The study concluded that the students’ inclination toward non-routine problem-solving processes influenced the significant relationship between creative thinking and critical thinking in the Visual Arts and Religion & Ethics Education departments. As such, they played a pivotal role in fostering the connection between creative and critical thinking skills among students.
Although the study was conducted several years ago, it remains a great example of how problem solving is intertwined with creativity, especially for students with an inclination toward the arts and humanities. Moreover, it also shows how creative students were able to employ a thinking process that involved thinking outside the box to solve problems.
Additionally, in 2019, one researcher investigated whether critical thinking had a positive impact on artistic skills, art students, and students studying Humanities and Culture Studies. The paper reviewed several articles, studies, and perspectives on critical thinking (CT) and different domains, such as STEM and Social Sciences. It highlighted the challenge of linking CT with the Arts, as art is often subjective and creative.
The findings revealed that some studies suggested a connection between CT and Art Criticism, indicating that analyzing artworks could enhance critical thinking abilities. Moreover, art education was shown to cultivate critical thinking dispositions, contributing to greater analytical thinking, maturity, and open-mindedness among Arts students.
The discussion also delved into the impact of different teaching methods on CT skills in the Arts, emphasizing inquiry-based approaches. The relationship between CT and art was found to be be complex, with debates about whether critical thinking aligns with or hinders artistic expression. For example, some argue that critical thinking may not be suitable for teaching painting, while others propose that artistic activities, such as painting, can foster critical thinking.
The review concluded by highlighting the variety of terms used to describe critical thinking in the Arts, including “critical analysis,” “critical inquiry,” and “art appreciation.” Despite challenges in defining and integrating CT into the Arts, these discussions and studies underscore the potential benefits of incorporating critical thinking skills into artistic education and vice-versa.
How Different Art Forms Invoke Critical Thinking
It’s pretty clear that art can improve critical thinking. Let’s take a closer look at how various art forms stimulate our cognitive faculties and potentially improve our critical thinking capabilities. We’ll discuss this section through the lens of the 2019 study mentioned above that sought to determine if critical thinking had a positive impact on artistic skills, art students, and students studying Humanities and Culture Studies
In their review, the researcher gathered and analyzed various scholarly articles that discussed topics based on the connection between critical thinking, art, humanities, and culture. In one of the sections, the researcher discussed findings on how critical thinking and the arts were linked.
The section revealed that studying in fields like Fine Art, Music, or Literature directly impacted critical thinking skills through interpretation, analysis, and motivation. Moreover, the process of creating meaning combines creativity and critical thinking, which forms a link between critical thinking and Art criticism.
Simply put, art forms invoke critical thinking by inviting us to find meanings in the complexities they present.
Visual Art
Visual arts often present us with tangible beauty observed by our eyes but challenge us to see beyond the surface. When we stand in front of a painting or a sculpture, we’re prompted to interpret the artist’s message, analyze the use of colors, shapes, and forms, and even consider the historical and cultural context of the piece.
This form of critical observation enhances our ability to analyze details and draw meaningful connections. As observers, we’re invited by the artist to interpret the meaning of their work, which fosters critical thinking. This was indeed the case in a 2014 study on the impact of arts exposure on students’ critical thinking abilities.
Using a lottery, 3,811 students were randomly grouped into those that went to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art museum on a school tour—where they were given minimal intervention and exposed to an arts experience that allowed them to think critically about the artwork—and those that did not attend the museum tour. Findings revealed that exposing students to art led to better critical thinking performance when analyzing new paintings. Interestingly, the effects were more pronounced among students with disadvantaged backgrounds.
Although the study was conducted some time ago, it still provides valuable insight into how visual arts improves critical thinking skills.
Craftsmanship and Design
From architectural wonders to fashion creations and everyday products, craftsmanship and design require thoughtful consideration and creativity. Skilled individuals in these disciplines meticulously combine aesthetics and functionality to craft objects that resonate with our senses and serve a purpose.
For instance, architecture goes beyond aesthetics. It also aims to address practical aspects as well, like a building’s structural integrity and energy efficiency. Meanwhile, designers of fashion pieces delve into style and identity, while product designers balance usability and environmental impact.
Critical thinking is the driving force behind these processes, helping creators make informed decisions that enhance both the practicality and significance of their creations.
Music
When we listen to music, we’re not merely passively absorbing sounds; we’re actively engaging with the sound, composition, melody, rhythm, and lyrics, when they are present. Emotions are conveyed using these various characteristics and they contribute to the overall mood. The experience may draw out personal memories or experiences.
Art in the form of music can be a potent tool for enhancing critical thinking skills. It encourages us to develop a keen sense of observation and analysis as we immerse ourselves in the artist’s musical expression. Additionally, making music can also prove to be a very intellectually demanding endeavor.
Making music involves delving into the underlying structures and principles that govern music theory. This includes understanding concepts such as scales, chords, harmony, and rhythm. As such, musicians are required to think critically about how these concepts interact and contribute to the overall musical experience.
A 2019 study seeking to find out how the Project-Based Learning (PBL) strategy develop critical thinking in high school Songwriting students. The researcher observed 23 students (aged 13 to 15) during a Songwriting class that involved a songwriting project and collected questionnaire responses. The researchers assessed for critical thinking skills like Information Analysis, Evaluation, and Self-Regulation. The study concluded that the PBL strategy did improve these critical thinking skills.
This research sheds light on developing critical thinking skills in a unique context, musical composition in a group project. It emphasized that creating something original after analyzing and evaluating information can enhance critical thinking.
Literature
Much like other forms of art, literature offers a unique platform for enhancing critical thinking. When we immerse ourselves in a literary piece, whether it’s a novel, a poem, or a play, we enter a world of imagination and ideas. This engagement invites us to think critically about the text, its characters, themes, and underlying messages.
One of the fundamental aspects of reading literature is interpreting characters and their motivations. As readers, we analyze their actions, thoughts, and relationships to uncover more profound meanings. This requires us to think beyond the surface and consider the complexities of human behavior, motivations, and the intricate web of emotions and relationships.
For instance, take this 2020 study on whether or not we can teach critical thinking or just create the right conditions for it to grow. In this study, 18 participants in a Poetry Group The research participants were comprised of 18 volunteers from a Poetry Group who participated in an intervention designed to develop critical thinking through Community of Inquiry or collaborative discourse to solve a problem.
The intervention spanned six months. Results showed that sharing stories and poems helped build social and cultural understanding among the group, supporting critical thinking and academic progress. The students also found the Poetry Group valuable for deeper learning, critical engagement with their Arts subject and improved academic performance.
Literature also often presents us with themes and ideas that mirror real-world issues. As we explore these themes, we’re prompted to think critically about their relevance to our lives and society. This process encourages us to question, analyze, and form our own perspectives on complex topics, fostering a deeper level of critical engagement.
Culinary Arts
When you sit down to savor a gourmet dish, you embark on a gastronomic journey involving more than mere indulgence—it’s a cognitive exploration. As you take that first bite, your taste buds encounter an orchestra of flavors, with each ingredient contributing to a harmonious symphony. But it doesn’t stop there.
Your critical thinking skills come into play as you delve deeper into the culinary masterpiece before you. You’re not just consuming food; you’re analyzing the sensory experience. You are deciphering how the flavors intermingle, how the textures contrast, and how the presentation captivates.
You’re unraveling the secrets of the chef’s techniques, deciphering the layers of preparation that have gone into creating an edible work of art.
Conclusion
Critical thinking and the arts form an unexpected yet meaningful relationship. This partnership isn’t just about passive observation—it’s an active engagement that hones our ability to analyze and interpret diverse art forms, enabling us to grasp the intricate layers of artistic expression and the messages artists aim to communicate.
From art forms that tickle our senses like visual art, gastronomy, or music, to arts that play an impactful role in society, like literature, craftsmanship, and design, each art form encourages us to think critically about the elements that come together to make them uniquely beautiful and impactful.
