Kids Tell All: I Wish My School Had Art Classes

[Generic Other]

Published on Jun 25, 2013

Nine-year-old Primo can turn just about anything into something beautiful, but he's limited to expressing his remarkable creativity at home due to his school's lack of art classes.

In most districts, art and music are the first courses to go when budgets are cut. Today, nearly four million elementary school students receive no visual arts education. http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/06/25/trouble-arts-education-america-video

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[madrchsod]

1. that was one of the few courses i was good at in school

next were history,current events,and civics. the rest were pretty much a wash. if i could have gotten my grades up in english and math i had my way paid to art school. i would have become a history/art teacher...

yup there`s a lot of kids who are probably just like i was.

[Hissyspit]

2. And we will be paying for this as a society for years to come.

[grilled onions]

3. Society Is Being Cheated By The Greedy

I think of all the future artists,musicians that will never be. I think of all the kids who feel they are failures at everything they do and will never experience the thrill of drawing,painting that masterpiece or playing a musical instrument for the first time.
Not all kids have talent in "book learning". They have more creative skills and we are getting more greedy, corporate groups and individuals that are cutting off such programs as singing, music and the arts. The wealthy kids don't have to worry for there will always be classes for them in their private schools. But for all those students who have little choice but to go to the public schools that are constantly being cut off at the knees, they are being cheated every day.

[BillyRibs]

4. IT's a fact,

School students that have a more well rounded education. (that includes Music and art), are better off academically, are more likely to think critically, and be more tolerant of others.

[handmade34]

5. art is culture

we are dismissing the value of millions of Americans... so sad

[KurtNYC]

6. Reminds me of an interview with one of the early PC entrepreneurs around 1980

He said personal computers will unleash a wave of creativity and make it easier for many people to create music, videos, newsletters, artwork and games.

The interviewer asked: What about people who just aren't that creative?

A: They will be consumers.

[antigop]

7. "Creativity is a form of knowledge" -- Harvard President Drew Faust

http://racheldamon.com/2013/06/10/creativity-is-a-form-of-knowledge/

“Creativity is a form of knowledge.” -Diane Paulus quotes Harvard President Drew Faust during her “Pippin” acceptance speech at the 2013 Tony Awards.

As a high school drama teacher who is transitioning to middle school next year, I was struck while watching the Tony Awards by the number of children appearing on Broadway. The talent is overwhelming and the kids are give so many chances to shine; as orphans in Annie, the four Matilda’s, Revolting Children, the young Michael Jackson in Motown, the fabulous tappers in A Christmas Story and more. Billy Porter (Tony Winner for Best Leading Actor in a Musical) talked about watching the Tonys as a kid and finding his place in the world. Think of all the kids watching tonight and how amazing for them to see people their age living their dreams. It was inspiring to watch the energy and enthusiasm leap off the stage in almost a more heightened way then having seen most of the productions live this spring.

Diane Paulus quote about the importance of creativity really struck a chord for me. As an arts educator one is constantly fighting an uphill battle to justify the importance and existence of their program. When budgets are tight, the arts are usually the first to go, and are considered a “special” or not a real class. The arts are vital and teach so much more than just how to be in a play.

“Kinky Boots” (a big winner tonight) celebrates the idea of being yourself, and staying true to who you are and accepting others for who they are. What a great message for kids, and one that should be celebrated and encouraged. “Matilda” (another front runner) advocates telling your own story and not becoming complacent, make things happen, and don’t let them just happen to you. The idea of taking action and controlling your own destiny is another fantastic takeaway for students.