Why Arts Education Matters for College, for Life, and for the Glory of God

When a student picks up an instrument, steps onto a stage, or opens a sketchbook, something bigger than a class assignment begins to take shape. They are not just learning music, theatre, dance, or visual art. They are developing discipline, creativity, empathy, and courage, qualities that help them thrive in college, in career, and in life. 

At premier Christian schools like MPCS, the arts are more than an elective. They are a form of worship and a vital part of a well-rounded education that calls students ever onward and upward in their pursuit of excellence as they honor God, love others, and walk in Truth. 

The Lifelong Value of the Arts

Students who are involved in the arts consistently show higher levels of creativity, confidence, and perseverance. National research confirms what we see every day in classrooms and rehearsal halls. Arts participation strengthens problem-solving, communication, and memory, skills that support success in every academic area and in life. 

A large study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that students deeply engaged in the arts were more likely to earn higher grades, attend college, and volunteer in their communities compared with peers who were less involved. Research from the American Psychological Association also shows that music training is linked to stronger executive function and focus, benefits that extend far beyond the music room.

Generative Art: Worship Through Creativity

As quality arts programs, such as the one at MPCS, continue to be visionary in their goals, one word should guide their philosophy: Generative.

Students should not only strive to master technique, but also to create. Encourage them to compose, choreograph, design, and perform as an act of worship that reflects the creativity of the One who created them. When students dance, play, or paint, they mirror the image of God at work within them. 

The goal is for every student, whether they pursue the arts professionally or simply for personal joy, to see their gifts as tools for both excellence and worship. They need to understand that art can honor God and bless others through creative expression rooted in truth and beauty.

The College Connection

One of the most persistent myths in college preparation is that success is defined solely by a full schedule of AP courses or top-tier test scores. Those are certainly important, but they are not the whole story. 

College admissions teams, especially at selective universities, increasingly emphasize holistic review. They are looking for students who bring distinctive passions, leadership, and creativity. A student who shows sustained engagement in the arts, leadership in an ensemble, or original creative work instantly stands out.

Even for students pursuing non-arts majors, a strong arts background signals initiative, teamwork, and the ability to communicate, traits that translate beautifully into any field. Students who continue in the arts throughout high school demonstrate a story of growth, leadership, and balance that strengthens their overall college profile. Organizations such as the College Board and the National Association for College Admission Counseling explicitly describe holistic review as a process that values sustained passions and demonstrated leadership, which is precisely what sustained participation in an arts program can show. 

The Admissions Director at Samford University, confirmed every one of these points. Colleges value students who demonstrate commitment, passion, and excellence across a variety of pursuits. The arts communicate those qualities in a powerful and personal way.

4 Reasons Why Continued Participation in the Arts Matters

While involvement in the arts during the formative academic years is clearly beneficial, there are four simple ways students should leverage their creative learning as they move through their academic careers.

1. It builds transferable skills. The arts train focus, memory, empathy, and teamwork, which support success across all academic areas.
2. It strengthens college applications. Arts experiences help students stand out through leadership, creativity, and unique perspective.
3. It opens scholarship doors. Many programs reward artistic talent across disciplines, often supplementing academic aid.
4. It lasts a lifetime. While some students perform forever, every student carries the confidence, creativity, and discipline they develop in the arts.

As building a culture of artistic excellence continues, the vision is clear. Instructors cultivate generative artists who create with purpose, excellence, and joy, offering their gifts as an act of worship to our Lord. Mrs. Fitzpatrick added, “Every child can take pride in expressing their creativity through the gifts God has blessed them with.”

Looking Ahead

The value of a well-developed craft does not end at graduation. Many students will carry their art into adulthood, some as semi-professional performers, others as members of church worship teams or community orchestras, and still others as professionals whose creativity enriches their fields. Whether through playing in a church orchestra, teaching a child to sing, designing a logo, or bringing a creative voice into the workplace, the influence of an arts education endures. 

At Mount Paran Christian School, they are committed to equipping students to use their gifts with excellence and humility so that in all things, their art and their lives bring glory to God.

Eric Willoughby serves as the Director of Arts and the Murray Arts Center at Mount Paran Christian School where he leads the vision for a Christ-centered, excellence-driven arts program spanning visual and performing disciplines. With a passion for helping students discover and develop their God-given gifts, Eric believes the arts play a vital role in spiritual formation as well growing a passion for excellence that honors God. His work centers on cultivating generative creativity, encouraging students to create, perform, and lead as acts of worship that honor God and extend His truth beyond the stage and classroom through meaningful outreach and missional impact. 

Curious about the Dozier School of the Arts? Click here for more information on this curricular arts magnet program in the MPCS high school.
Click here to learn more about co-curricular arts training and lessons offered to the community through the Murray Arts Academy.