Let's paint a picture together. Empty walls, silent rooms and shy students are what is painted on the canvas. Our image is the result of the limits imposed on artistic powers. Staci Maiers confirms that “the school play, the marching band, the drama club, the student art show – are usually highlights of a student's education” (1). “. . . [Fine Arts] can connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing, creating the foundation for forging social connections and community cohesion” (qtd. in Smith 2). Maiers expresses, "Because fine arts education is not generally considered a core curriculum or included in high-stakes standardized testing mandated by federal requirements, music, art, theater and dance are generally the first to be left-handed” (2). There is evidence that “participation in the arts is associated with gains in mathematics, reading, cognitive abilities, critical thinking, and verbal skills” (Smith 2). Fine Arts should remain a program in public schools because artistic creation can bring out shy students, mute students, and uneducated intellects. “Dance helps children mature physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively” (“Importance” 1). Being able to express one's thoughts and emotions through a certain body movement is quite incredible. Tony Attwood explains: "What dance does for me is that it gives me regular experience of an art form, contact with friends, the opportunity to make new friends regularly, [and ] pleasant evenings. . . .” (1). Some students have difficulty expressing themselves verbally and dance is a form of communication for them (“Importance” 2). “We need to create whole young people who are good at all these things and the arts are a very important part of people's lives,...... middle of paper ......014. obamas-2014-state-of-the-union-address/2014/01/28/e0c93358-887f-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html>. Rotherham, Andrew J. “Classroom Budget Cuts: What's on the School Chopping Block?” » Time.Np, June 23, 2011. Web. March 11, 2014.0,8599,2079421,00.html>.Smith, Fran. “Why is arts education crucial and who does it best?” » Edutopia. Np, Nd, Web. March 12. 2014. “The Benefits of Drama Education.” » Drama Education Network. J. Bason. Nd Web April 7, 2014. tp://www.dramaed.net/benefits.pdf>. “The Importance of Dance Education.” Saint Louis Ballet School 1.7 (2013): 1. Web. April 7. 2014..