It can be easy to get into a rut while homeschooling, especially when it comes to subjects that don't have a clear-cut curriculum, such as art. Add to this the perception that at-home art education is an entirely messy affair, and parents may be tempted to skip these classes altogether. However, an education in the arts is important; according to a 2012 study conducted by the National Endowment of the Arts, at-risk youth who had access to the arts did better academically, had higher career goals and were more engaged in their communities. Let's look at some mess-free ways to make sure your children are getting the arts education they need at home.

Enroll in a Curriculum

If you don't have an art background and want the extra guidance of following a set curriculum, consider enrolling in a program like Atelier, which offers DVD lessons, a parents' manual with lesson plan instructions, and all the supplies needed for kids to create their own original pieces that emulate the artists learned about in the lessons.

If your child is interested in a more niche-market art form such as printmaking or sculpture, KinderArt is a great resource for specialized lesson plans in these areas. They also offer an at-home course in art history.

Provide a Music Education

Music is an easy, mess-free way to have the arts be a part of your child's daily life, without the mess that comes along with activities like painting. Playing a musical instrument is enriching, and research from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation and reported by PBS shows that students who are enrolled in quality music programs tend to score higher on their English and math standardized tests than those who are not. Even if your homeschooled child is not destined to be the next big musician, the benefits of studying music can teach them discipline, perseverance and critical thinking skills that benefit many other areas of their lives.

Learning music is also a great way to make your child's arts education relevant to their life. They can pick and choose the music they are interested in learning to play or listen to critically. There are many stock song sites that offer reasonably priced tracks, such as Shutterstock.

Teach Art History

Art classes can be challenging for those students who simply don't find themselves to be very artistically enabled. However, a more academic approach to the study of art can be a great way to incorporate humanities into their education — and it's mess-free. Students can learn the criticism and theories behind great art, a useful skill to carry them through life. There are many art history courses that students can enroll in online, including these two free ones from Annenberg Learner: "Art Through Time: A Global View," and "Art of the Western World."

Go Online

One online resource you may not have thought of: Pinterest. There is a large homeschooling community on the site, many of whom share their arts education ideas. If you have younger children who enjoy crafts, the Crafty Cow is a great resource. They offer many craft ideas (messy and non-messy) that are easy to tie in with other academic curriculum. For instance, if your child is learning about farm animals, take a trip to a local farm for hands-on experience, and then create craft projects featuring farm animals at home.