The Importance of Creativity | Mar 05, 2020

As an IB teacher for the past 20 years, there have been many times when parents or educators have asked me about the importance of Art within the IB Philosophy.

“Why do we have to be in Art class, Ms. Boccieri?” Henry asked me one day. 

“You’ll see, Henry, and let me know when you figure that out” I answered knowingly. 

It’s easy for people to understand the philosophy of increased academic rigor and holding kids to a higher standard, but what is the meaning of higher rigor in relation to the Fine Arts?

Public schools have “scope and sequence” and a district map which dictates the delivery and timing of all curriculum. Our IST teachers are not bound by those rules, and as such can provide  real time adjustments to curriculum in order to support creative thinking in disciplines throughout the campus. Every child is unique and we are proud of the differentiation provided by our professional educators for each child in our school.

It really boils down to the importance of Creativity. We learn to be creative by experimenting, exploring, questioning assumptions, using imagination and synthesizing information. I believe every great leader is a creative, open minded leader. Yes, creativity can be taught–and maintained with practice in the Fine Arts.

“Ms, Boccieri, I’ve figured out why I need to be in Art class!” He said with enthusiasm–”It’s because I have to imagine stuff in Art class, and being creative like that helps me imagine stuff in math and science, too. Being creative is how to solve problems!”

Well, done, Henry. 

Our kids have a Voice–they plan, they produce and they play creatively within the framework of the Arts. We collaboratively problem-solve within a welcoming environment, through the lens of the International Baccalaureate programme at IST.

For the last few years, we’ve all heard over and over about the importance of people who are able to think “out of the box”. I like to use the more old-fashioned term for that saying: creativity. It’s the reason the Fine Arts are important. We strive as professional IB educators to prepare a strong foundation for a future of creative Scientists, innovative Engineers and open-minded lifelong learners. The Arts at IST aims for this goal every day.

Bren Boccieri

Fine Arts

International School of Texas