Beginning in 2008, America came upon a grueling period of economic distress, the Recession. This period of economic decline with which trade and industrial activity were reduced forced many changes in Americas’ economy. Teachers Jobs at Risk released by the White House estimated that between the years of (2008 – 2011) nearly 300,000 educators have lost jobs. While schools were forced to cut back on jobs, many of the first to lose jobs were the fine arts educators. Futhermore, thousands of children have lost the opportunity to experience art, dance, music, and theatre classes. In spite of America’s economic turmoil causing schools major budget cuts, there are three key reasons why schools should continue to support the arts: the arts contribute to state and national economies, the arts prepare students for high paying jobs, and the arts have a positive impact on every child’s life.
The Ohio Citizens for the Arts reported that in 2003 arts in Cleveland and Cincinnati contributed to more than $2 billion a year in annual economic activity,(Collins 2) while the American Arts Alliance ...
Turbide, Anne F. "Why Art Programs Are Beneficial to Students." The Synapse. N.p., 15 May 2015. Web. 10 May 2016.
Fine arts gives students a chance to pour their hearts into something beautiful; a chance to be a part of something that is bigger than just themselves. Some schools are facing financial troubles with the current economy, and one of the first programs they consider cutting is fine arts. The removal of fine arts programs would be absolutely devastating to countless members of the community. Many students would lose their favorite class, in some cases the one class that helps them get through the day, and many teachers that truly care fir the students would lose their dream jobs. Fine arts should not be cut from schools; they build confidence, help with the application of other academic concepts, and even help to prepare students for their future work in the business world.
A recent development in public education has been the decline in arts programs nationwide. Budget cuts to arts programs are responsive to decreases in state funding, especially in states with conservative economic policies. Many states have also enacted legislation disabling local school districts’ abilities to justify employing art and music teachers. Consequently, several problems have manifested themselves, including the loss of arts programs proving detrimental to the overall quality of education for today’s children. First and foremost, arts programs improve overall performance in core school subjects; this is demonstrated clearly through higher test scores amongst students with exposure to arts and positive correlations between arts and core class engagement. Other reasons supporting retaining arts programs include to help foster community development, produce creative minds, develop problem-solving skills, aid in child development and visual-spatial skills, and encourage underprivileged students to remain in school (Metla, 2015). By removing arts programs from some public schools, an alarming issue of public concern arises. Public education, given that it is considered to be a non-rivalrous and non-excludable, is deemed a public good (Clark, 2016). Cutting arts programs in public schools, especially when cuts transpire in schools saturated with heavy minority populations, creates inequitable education and creates a serious issue of public concern.
Recent events in Canadian politics have shocked the artistic sector in Canada. The conservative party of Stephen Harper attacked the arts and culture sector by cutting funds to some major art programs in the country. Art has played an important role in the development of societies around the world. Everything from social structure and religion to politics and military was reflected in various forms of art; from painting and sculpture to theatre and dance. Ancient Egyptians build pyramids and had symbolic depictions of deities. Ancient Greeks, the fathers of democracy, were the masters of pottery, sculpture as well as architecture and painting. In ancient times art was not isolated from science, philosophy and of course politics. Everyday political, social, military and economical affairs were reflected in the arts, and vice versa. Artists were the thinkers, and thought provokers of the culture. In the Renaissance artists were synonymous with progress, invention and liberalism. They were the builders and reinforcers of cultural value and tradition. Modern day is seeing a variety of art forms that reveal the culture that art is produced within. Canada is a country rich in history, traditions and multiculturalism. It is important to sustain and develop the art sector in Canada in order to maintain and “voice” Canadian culture and identity. Moreover, the art industry in Canada not only improves the cultural fabric of the country, it also showing significant revenue to the government. The Harper Government funding cuts to the arts and culture sector is an unjustified act of censorship. Underfunding of Arts in Canada will hinder the development of values and unity in Canadian culture and Identity as well as hinder freedom of exp...
Many schools around the country are cutting their music program because of budget cuts in their counties. The arts for some reason are always the first to be cut; apparently the school doesn’t think they are essential to their students learning. Schools try to focus on the more important academic classes because of the high testing standards they must now meet. (Nesoff 2003) This is not just happening in poor school districts it is happening in large districts across the country including magnet schools for the arts: “When Albert Margolis and his wife attended the final music program for their son's kindergarten class in May, they were shocked when a teacher stood up after the performance and announced that the music program was cut indefinitely…Bathgate Elementary School in Mission Viejo in California's affluent Orange County, is a magnet school for the arts…” (Nesoff 2003) When magnet schools for the arts start cutting music you know there is a problem. The problem is the schools do not know the importance of music and the arts and how necessary they are for children to grow and become cultured in our society.
Some of the key factors in the Walton Art Center case focus on bringing a unique, exciting, and diverse art experience not only to the community but also to the region (Lester, & Parnell, 2006). One of their top priority is educating everyone on different aspects of performers and artist. Art consists of more than an artist, this can include music, theater, painting, and performers of all kinds. The WAC center most devoted patrons and ideas came from the university and this focus provides the children in the community with an opportunity to learn many art forms at the center. Each year the programs offered brings in tons of children. One of the challenges of the center is constantly revising the programs to attract more consumers and reflect
The work of an artist does not simply refer to only pretty paintings, it has a large variety of products that affect society. For example, John Clammer refers to this idea in his paper “Arts and the Art of Sustainability;” Clammer writes “We absorb ourselves in artefacts and production of popular culture and we enjoy and exercise ourselves with dancing and its accompanying musics. In the fact our lives are saturated with the arts, and if we do (as we should) include the ‘crafts’ which no doubt include our daily utensils, furniture and accessories, then there should be no doubt about their cultural role.” (Clammer, 1). Clammer addresses the fact without art, our lives would be entirely different and dull; no music, no dancing, or even the most simple things like furniture. Without artist, there would be nothing to give the beauty of difference and uniqueness to differentiate the difference between one from another. Although, art not only benefits its citizens, but also its economy. The author Cross Cuts from the New York Times writes in his article “The Paradox of Art as Work,” “The production of arts and cultural goods and services contributed $504.4 billion to the U.S. economy,’ or 3.25 percent of gross domestic product.” (Cuts, 3). As evidence displays, artist’s work not only helps its community, but also its economy with $504.4 billion dollars in profits from
Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is no doubt that a cut in funding for art programs will take a huge toll on students overall grades and test scores. Research has found that the studying of music and art facilitates learning in other subjects and enhances children’s skills in other areas (Brown). Furthermore, providing students with a creative outlet can do great justice in reducing the stress from many other classes and even offer insight for students in possible career paths involving the art field. The art industry today currently supports 4.1 million full-time jobs (Dorfman). By increasing the funding of music and art programs for students preschool through twelfth grade we can see a dramatic increase in the education of children across the United States, assist with skill development in young students, and greatly benefit the economy at the same time.
...rts into schools is not as hard as it seems. Including arts in the class room is a simple as playing music. It is proven that just listening to music or even a simple rhythm will engage both sides of the brain and help it to learn more efficiently (Weber 1). Even though this country is in an economic recession, fine arts are a necessity to the schools. The arts may cost a little extra money, but in the end the benefits of keeping fine arts in the school system will bring about rewards never imagined. The students will have a safe place to express themselves, a motivation to stay in school, and a higher test score. Fine arts are evidently needed; so now, what will people do to make sure that the arts have a permanent place in the schools? Will people realize the difference the arts make and change their ways, or will the voice of fine arts dwindle and die?
Response to A New Framework In the arts, nearly everything that is done relies on public participation. If organizations aren’t doing what they can to service the population they exist in, they lose their relevance in the local community. Therefore, Organizations must act to reflect on where their participation comes from, why people attend these events, and how this impacts the organization’s future.
The Importance of Arts Education Jane Alexander, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), once said, “Many children are missing out on something which gives their education context, gives their lives depth and meaning, and prepares them to be the future workforce.” This “something” that she spoke of is music and art education. Unfortunately, she is entirely correct. We are currently seeing a dramatic cut in arts education curriculum in our public schools due to the limited amount of time and funding. In many cases, budget cutbacks mean arts education cutbacks.
When one hears the word ‘art’, one would think of an expression of creativity such as music, dance, and literature. However, the most concrete definition still pertains to the visual arts, which includes paintings and sculptures; works to be appreciated through the eye. From its earliest forms found in prehistoric caves to abstract portrayals today, this art form has been and will most likely continue to be a celebration of aesthetics, a representation of culture, as well as a visual record of history. Art used to be a way of mostly documenting history and its important figures but now it has become an output of emotions and ideas as well as an indirect way of communication, all of which are in some way linked to capital profit. Somewhere between
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. (2014) State Policy Briefs. “Why Should Government Support the Arts” Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.nasaa-arts.org/Advocacy/Advocacy-Tools/Why-Government-Support/WhyGovSupport.pdf
Art education is often underestimated by many who believe that school was created to teach only analytical concepts such as mathematics and literature. However, research has shown that art courses are important, even necessary for students in elementary, middle, and high schools. These art classes may include not only visual arts but performing arts such as dance, theatre and choir. Barbara Streisand said, “Art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, in a constant search for the truth,” (Quotations). Streisand points out that there are multiple benefits to art whether it be painted by a brush or sung from the heart. Art has the ability to allow people to see situations from different points of view not merely to look beautiful as decoration. Those who believe that art education is unimportant are simply ignorant to the benefits that involvement in the arts holds for not just the individual but for society in general. While some in society may not recognize the immediate results. Art education is beneficial to students in primary and secondary schools.
When I was in high school, I was very involved in the arts. I took a band, choir and two years of visual art. During the years of high school, I knew that the fees for the art courses cost much more than other electives at my school. I also observed that the school focused more on their athletic and academics programs, than on their art programs. We had many fundraisers to raise more money for the art programs even after paying an already expensive fee to takes these electives. Schools are neglecting the visual arts programs and placing all of their money and focus on academics and athletics programs. I propose a balance between the arts, academics, and the athletics.