Survey on children's and young people's experiences in basic education in the arts
As part of the legislative reform of basic education in the arts, the Ministry of Education and Culture has charted the experiences of children and young people participating in basic education in the arts when engaging in the arts as a recreational activity. Children and young people must be consulted in all legislative drafting concerning them. The consultation was conducted using an open online survey. Over 2,100 children and young people aged between 7 and 29 years who take part in basic education in the arts took part in the survey across different parts of Finland.
The results of the consultation are very positive. The responses show that basic education in the arts and art as a recreational activity have a very positive effect on how the students develop their social skills and their skills in their chosen field of art. The respondents felt that taking in art activities significantly bolsters and maintains their psychological wellbeing. Children and young people who participate in basic education in the arts are very satisfied with the instruction they are given and how it is applied.
The respondents enjoyed taking part in art and felt it is a meaningful activity that complements and broadens the skills they learn in primary and secondary school. Basic education in the arts affects both individuals and communities in a positive way. The effects can be seen in how skills develop, how participants have meaningfulness experiences and how their knowledge about arts and culture increases.
The older age groups pointed out how they experience learning as a gradual process. They see basic education in the arts as a path to cultural citizenship, where art and culture have both direct (related to the types of art) and indirect (supporting social skills and wellbeing) effects.
The survey included respondents from almost everywhere in Finland. They raised questions about whether it would be possible to continue their recreational activities and ensure regional and sector-specific availability in the arts due to the changes in funding for the arts throughout the nation. Especially respondents in non-urban areas stressed how important it is to safeguard equal opportunities to take part in the arts and to ensure that basic education in the arts remains affordable.
Ample amount of new information available
The responses to the survey are very consistent with the results of a survey carried out by the Association for Basic Education in the Arts in spring 2024 on how recreational activities in basic education in the arts are experienced. When examining these results, it can be said that basic education in the arts and recreational activities have a significant bearing on people’s wellbeing at the individual level. Learning from art, working together with others and the positive challenges offered by recreational activities in the arts all contribute to wellbeing.
Studies indicate that engaging in art is a meaningful way for people to strengthen existing social relationships and skills and build new ones. The responses also reflect how taking part in the arts is an important pathway to cultural citizenship.
Related links:
Association for Basic Education in the Arts: Report on how recreational activities in basic education in the arts are experienced in 2024 (only on Finnish)