In the arts, students who are critically literate are able, for example, to actively analyse art works and other texts and determine potential motives and underlying messages. They are able to determine what biases might be contained in an art work and why that might be, how the content of the art work was determined and by whom, and whose perspectives might have been left out and why. Students would then be equipped to produce their own interpretation of the work and their own opinion on its message or the issue it addresses.
Through participation in the arts, students can develop their creativity, learn about their own identity, and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of well-being. Since artistic activities involve intense engagement, students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts, which can motivate them to participate more fully in cultural life and in other educational opportunities.