Importance of the Arts to Public School Education
Is it really important to offer art and music in the public schools? That question was answered with a resounding “YES” by North Middle School students who presented at the April Loudon County School Board meeting. Mrs. Rebecca Aronowitz and her art students presented a video depicting art projects tied to academic themes. All eight students mentioned that art is one class where they can be creative and truly let their imaginations soar.
I had the opportunity to attend the National Elementary School Principals Association national conference in Nashville April 4-7. One of the keynote speakers, Daniel Pink who authored A Whole New Mind, expounds on the theory that the world economy is moving from the Information Age to a new Conceptual Age. We are moving from a society that rewards pure knowledge to one that requires knowledge in addition to creative right-brain thinking. He told the story of the GM CEO addressing shareholders and leading with this statement — “We are in the design business.” Not the car business, not the engineering business — the DESIGN BUSINESS.
What better way for students to develop and hone their inate creativity than through art and music classes? We are fortunate at Eaton to have wonderful art and music teachers. They take classrroom content and weave strands of art and music. These teachers have the ability to bring out the best in even our most reluctant classroom learners.
Eaton qualifies for art and music teachers because of our size. This begs the question — don’t all students deserve a chance to showcase their creativity through art and music no matter the size of the school? I’m interested to hear parent comments on this issue.
Add comment April 11th, 2008
