NAEA Position Statement on the 4C’s (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity)

NAEA recognizes that the 4C’s—Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity—are fundamental to visual arts, media arts, and design education. NAEA believes it is important for all learners to leave school prepared with the skills and knowledge to address challenges.. The 4C’s are frequently included in local and national educational policies as important skills to develop for postsecondary education, future employability, and active citizenship.

NAEA believes participation in a visual arts, media arts, and design education provides opportunities for all learners in building their skills and capacities for the 4C’s as part of a complete 21st-century education and shaping their human potential. NAEA believes a comprehensive visual arts, media arts, and design education is integral for success in college, the workforce, and beyond, as stated within the NAEA Position Statement on the Impact of Visual Arts Workforce Development:

Visual arts education develops skills of deeper understanding and divergent thinking while also playing a vital role in cultivating collaboration, communication, critical thinking, curiosity, innovation, and problem solving, additional key competencies desired by employers. Visual arts education also develops emotional intelligence, the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.