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3 Ways the Performing Arts Change Young Lives

Regular training in the performing arts help build one’s skills in areas like dance, acting, singing, and musical theatre. This offers young people an opportunity to pursue a range of creative pathways as they grow older. However, the performing arts also offer benefits that reach far beyond the stage. They influence academic performance, social skills, and overall well-being. In this blog, we look at how the performing arts can change young lives.

Academic

Research consistently demonstrates that children who participate in performing arts excel academically. According to a study by the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), students involved in arts education are significantly more likely to achieve higher grades and attend school more regularly1. The Cultural Learning Alliance reports that students from low-income families who engage in the arts are three times more likely to get a degree2.

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“Our student is loving Montage Theatre and he attends the classes every Saturday. We really appreciate the Bursary opportunities that Montage have offered. It has made a noticeable difference to his confidence.” Matt Wright, Deputy Headteacher

Improved discipline

Due to needing to regularly rehearse, learn lines, and improve details such as pitch and accuracy, young people who pursue the performing arts evidence a greater sense of discipline. This helps them in academic settings, other extracurricular activities, and in building lifelong skills to support them in any workplace. This means that not only do the performing arts change young lives, but equip them with the tools to flourish in adulthood.

Communication and collaboration

Beyond academics, the performing arts play a pivotal role in developing social and emotional competencies. Participation in group activities like theatre productions or dance ensembles teaches children collaboration and communication. A study by the University of Oxford found that children who engage in arts activities are more likely to develop strong social skills and show greater emotional resilience3.

“MTA has been nothing less than a lifeline for my son. He had an awful time at school and through your programme he found himself. He found his passion. He felt valued and he had a voice. He made friends and he began to believe in himself!” MTA Parent

We are a Lewisham based, Lewisham funded, charity helping children and young people access high quality teaching to access these benefits. With affordable access for all, we provide FREE and REDUCED RATE places for those who face social or financial barriers to participation.

  1. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. (2019). Taking Part Survey.
  2. Cultural Learning Alliance. (2017). Key Research Findings: The Case for Cultural Learning.
  3. Mental Health Foundation. (2019). The Impact of the Arts on Mental Health.
  4. Thompson, Ian & Tawell, Alice. (2017). Becoming other: social and emotional development through the creative arts for young people with behavioural difficulties.