5 Answers

Because it is important in life...

Art is important in schools for many reasons.  It teaches children how to problem solve, how to say "I can" instead of, "I can't"...creativity, how to look at things in a classic sense and then the not so classic.  How to see the world through other's eyes.  Art is visual and children learn that way...this is why their books have illustrations.

Art is also important because every house, car, refridgerator, mobile phone or computer had a drawing attached at some point.  Learning about art in school could lead a person to a job in the future.  If no one learned about art your cell phone may be... well not that.  We would have to learn E.S.P. instead.   

Art, I think, allows you to use "the other side of your brain".
Art is everywhere.  The design of an auto, a building, a piece of furniture, a wedding cake, fabric are just a few examples of art.  Art comes in many mediums, too.  Pencil, Pen, Chalk, Paint (water, acrylic, oil), Clay, Metal, Jewels, Wood, and Music are some examples.

Allowing a person to experience the process of creating a work of art is a gift.  Being able to use one's imagination is priceless. 

When my sons were in elementary school, I was an "art docent" for their classrooms (and six others).  Each month I would spend about an hour in each classroom with a collection of art that was either by a particular artist or exhibited a particular style.  There was a script to go along with the reproductions, but I enjoyed researching the art(ist) and coming up with additional information to share with the kids.  It was a great learning experience for the kids as well as for me.  I always had a lot of questions for them, and they were always happy to contribute. 

This is off the subject, but one of their teachers had the students pick pictures from their literature books to duplicate.  They were given the art paper and told to turn the book UPSIDE DOWN, then begin their drawing.  The pictures were incredible.  Instead of trying to draw "things", the students were drawing lines and shapes.  When they were turned over, WOW! I tried it several times and was always amazed at how well my drawing looked.   

So the kids can learn to draw pretty graffiti.