A study from Michigan State University found a strong connection between childhood arts or crafts education and adult business ventures later in life.  In full, the findings were so surprising that researchers concluded that not only was there a link, but that arts and crafts in youth development are actually critical to economic innovation.  This research is a powerful piece of evidence that could disprove the commonly held theory that the arts are merely an extra-curricular for students and thus easy to add or cut. 

Rex Lamore, one of the lead authors of this study and Director of the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development met with Michigan Public Radio to give a short preview of the study’s full findings and implications it has for the future of our country’s economic growth if the arts continue to be cut out of schools.  In sum, here are the four powerful results the study uncovered:

• Students who major in STEM subjects are more likely to have arts experience and background than the average American
• Arts and crafts skills are “significantly correlated” with creating new, patentable, inventions and new business ventures
• The majority of innovators directly connect their ability to an arts or crafts background
• A lifelong exposure and interaction with the arts will yield the largest results for those in science, engineering, and other innovative positions