Students who spent more time in creative and performing arts subjects at school or experienced them at home did better than their peers on a range of academic and non-academic well-being measures.
But the researchers were surprised to find that students who received arts tuition outside school had lower levels of motivation and academic intention. Their school enjoyment, class participation, homework completion, self-esteem and life satisfaction were, on average, all worse than students who did not have after school or weekend lessons in subjects such as music or dance.
