Students who have art instruction are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to graduate from college as their peers with no art instruction. I’d like to think we see the value of music, art, dance and theater in our lives and in our children’s lives, but not everyone sees it that way. And if it takes showing that student achievement gains are influenced by art, then I’m all for throwing some data around. Here’s an article I wrote for MSN Causes: Music and art instruction linked to student achievement that has some pretty impressive data, as well as covering a growing recognizing that creativity and collaboration are key 21st century learning skills needed in the workplace. And in life.