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When I was a youngster my parents would take me around to museums and show me art. I am very grateful that they did that. It must not have been easy to take four children through an art museum. I still go to the Met and turn a corner and remember when I turned that same corner at a very young kid. I go to art museums and see gallery exhibits because of the love of art that was instilled in me by my parents. I do the same with Caroline.

They played classical musical for me and took me to see Peter and the Wolf. There were certain pieces that I would have them play over and over for me. They took me to see the Nutcracker and gave me my love for ballet.

My school would take the kids to see a play at the Alliance Children’s Theater once a year. That was a very big deal to us. I saw lots of children’s classics translated into about an hour. Later I watched my friends perform an incredible version of the Tales of Edger Alan Poe that probably had some kids wetting their seats. They used various basic illusions to create some seriously scary parts. They knew they were doing well depending on how high-pitched the screams were.

Art Class and I didn’t get along too well when it came to drawing but I enjoyed just about everything else. Once in High School I took every graphic arts and photography class they had and ended up with independent study in photography my senior year. I loved photography and I still do.

Caroline has an art class once a week with an art teacher. She really enjoys drawing and crafty stuff. What she learns now will influence what she keeps up with as an adult. She loves her music teacher and has a good singing voice. Her father and I try to continue her education in the arts through visits to museums, music, and other experiences like talking to artists that make a living drawing.

I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach each time I read about another school district that has gotten rid of the arts and music because they don’t contribute to ‘the test’. What is lost is incalculable. The arts teach kids how to think outside the box and find solutions to problems that might not be the ones that we would think of.

The Arts are important and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Shana has 4 days to raise about 50,000 to see her artistic dream come true. And you can help by spreading the word far and wide so she has a chance.

The web site to her dream is
http://www.ulule.com/5pointstheatre/

And yes, I am in the cooking is an art form camp.

I am grateful for the arts and all that I have learned.

Date: 2011-10-04 01:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] geniusinmaine.livejournal.com
Great post, and I agree completely about the importance of the arts. All teaching to "the test" seems to do is make school a lot more boring.

Date: 2011-10-04 03:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oxymoron67.livejournal.com
Also, if you're teaching for the test, you're not really teaching the SKILLS, you're teaching how to take the test.

The skills are a secondary concern.

Date: 2011-10-04 03:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oxymoron67.livejournal.com
I agree about the importance of the arts. My mom used to take my siblings and myself to museums (and other cultural institutions) all the time.

Also, I believe studies have shown that exposure to the arts aids in the development of the brain. I know it does with music.

I could rant for DAYS about No Child Left Behind and standardized testing. Let's just say that they don't work.

Date: 2011-10-04 04:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] baxaphobia.livejournal.com
I would have been lost if it wasn't for music in school! I was a loner until joining chorus and band and I had an instant peer group which helped me so much!

Date: 2011-10-04 06:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] creature-girl08.livejournal.com
The arts are really what saved me in school. I agree with your post whole heartedly.

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