Education as a Foundation to Inspiring Creativity by Anna

Education as a Foundation to Inspiring Creativity by Anna - March 2025 Scholarship Essay

In 10 years, I see myself teaching an art class to a room full of bright young people. Art is engrained in everything we see, do, and touch. It inspires and allows us to express feelings, ideas, thoughts, and innovations. Art is incorporated into nearly every career, and I believe that it is crucial to encourage young people to be creative and appreciate art.
If you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up from the ages of about five to twelve, I would have said “A teacher” with no hesitation. There may have been a few years where I sprinkled zoologist or archeologist into my answer every now and then, but I was fairly certain that teaching was what I wanted to do. When I got a little older and started thinking about high school, I started doubting myself. I still wanted to be a teacher, but I couldn’t decide what kind, and I became incredibly unsure of myself. I tossed around the idea of entirely different careers, but nothing seemed like the right fit for me. Then, I took an art class in high school and fell in love with it. I was terrible at it at first, but I improved quickly and felt for the first time that I could truly express myself. My art teacher encouraged me to pursue art education, and over the course of my junior year of high school, I made up my mind. Art is useful to everyone in some way. It creates and encourages progress and can be so deeply impactful on a personal level, whether you are “good at it” or not. I want to share my appreciation for art with the next generation of dreamers, innovators, and creators.
Education is similarly important. While it is entirely possible to be an artist without a secondary education or degree, it is also important to understand the fundamentals. The art classes I have taken in college have helped me immensely in improving my art skills. It is much more difficult to become a teacher without a degree. I am incredibly grateful for the art education program at my university. I can take a wide variety of art classes while also taking education classes that will help prepare me for a career in education as well as my certifications in the future. I am improving my communication skills and making connections that will be vital to my future success. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to pursue this career and my education will allow me to be successful.