In my youth when I really wanted to be an artist, I felt like I failed all the time. Tempura paint is the liquid equivalent of crayons, and that's what the school provided for art class. No wonder I thought I couldn't make art! I was so excited to find Pete's YouTube because I felt validated. I started to show my art (what little there is) to other people. And some of them loved it!
There is so much emphasis on kids and teens to make As in the "real" subjects. At least my elementary schools believed in time for art. They also got me started on music, which no one in my family was prepared to do. It's a shame the arts are being abandoned by so many school districts. Here's hoping for a revival.
I used to be a daycare teacher. I loved providing art prompts and also allowing for freedom of expression. Music, dance, and dramatic play were a part of this.
Kids are artists before we condition them out of it. Art is prioritized in our home. I have a 14 yo who is an avid sketcher. Her finished pieces get hung on the walls. Same with my other teen who only dabbles with tutorials once or twice a year.
Something I noticed in our schools, which lack art classes, is that they are assigned to create art in other classes like science, english & social studies. So they are at least exposed to art supplies & graphic representation is shown to be important. It's interesting to me to incorporate art as opposed to separating it. But I definitely agree more art is needed, and more encouragement for young artists.
I would love to see that as well. My school used art as a side class that got no attention and by the time I hit highschool they no longer offered it. There might have been a club but it received no funding so I don't think it lasted long.