Many people believe that arts education is important, but few can say exactly why. Here at last are the results of the first in-depth research on the "habits of mind" that are instilled by studying visual art-habits, the authors argue, that could have positive impacts in student learning across the curriculum. Studio Thinking provides art teachers with a research-based language for describing what they intend to teach and what students actually learn. This Language will help advocates explain arts education to policy makers, help art teachers develop and refine their teaching and assessment practices, and help educators in other disciplines learn from existing practices in arts education.