Preemptive Censorship: Get ‘Em While They’re Young
by Kazarian
It is only by introducing the young to great literature, drama and music, and to the excitement of great science that we open to them the possibilities that lie within the human spirit—enable them to see visions and dream dreams.
~Eric Anderson, singer/songwriter
The fact that artistic instruction contributes to a child’s holistic education is irrefutable. Studies and experiences undeniably show that students who are exposed to the arts benefit scholastically, behaviorally, and emotionally. "The real magic of the arts, says David McGee, principal of artistically-strong Gateway Boulevard Elementary School, "is that they give kids the internal discipline they need to manage their lives." Why then, in an age of budget cuts and inadequate funding are the art and music programs the first to feel financial friction? Who is to blame for robbing our future generations of a balanced education and positive experiences with fine arts and music?
Many people find fault in the lack of federal, state, and district funding. Yes, most schools are poorly financed, but all the money in the world will never guarantee an excellent music program or give the students the desire and inspiration to create. It is the responsibility of teachers and principals to integrate the arts into the classrooms and hallways of their schools despite inadequate funding. Approximately five-hundred students attend Sedona Red Rock High School, in Sedona, Arizona. Neither its size nor its budget will allow for a traditional high school marching band. Instead of cutting music programs, principal Russ Snider expanded the music program to include a drum-corps and a Caribbean steel-drum band. "I wish everyone could experience some form of music," said Snider when explaining his non-traditional solution to providing artistic opportunities with tight budgets. More individuals need to take this kind of initiative to keep the musical pulse beating in their schools.
Other people blame the vulnerability of arts programs on our colleges. Many university admissions boards disregard and ignore the artistic talents of young graduates who are applying for higher education. Similarly, our standardized tests such as the SATs and IQ testing fail to account for artist abilities. Many young, talented artists are denied the recognition they deserve because they fail to meet the intellectual standards of our society.
Perhaps the most significant reason that arts and music are stifled in our school system is our society’s attitude towards artists and musicians. There is a cold reality to the cliché term ‘starving artist.’ Many young men and women who try to bring meaningful art into the world are forced to compromise, either artistically or idealistically.
Throughout history the artists have led the way of social progress. By its very nature, art is about creation and change. Those who fear change, fear artists. When oppressive dictators have taken over countries, it has been the artists and the poets who were the first to be executed. Billions of books have been burned and lost forever because of the fear and ignorance of those in power.
Today, instead of violently squelching the progressive voices of change, the voices are taught never to sing out. We are fed the illusion of artistic freedom in a lewd and lurid world of marginal creativity and an industry of standardized entertainment. Without true artists to lead the way, how will we ever emerge from our world of stagnation? Without the arts in our classrooms, how will our future ever find its voice?
It had never occurred to me before that music and thinking are so much alike. In fact you could say music is another way of thinking, or maybe thinking is another kind of music.
~Ursula K. Le Guin, author
“Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week throughout at least one full year are:
- 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
- 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
- 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
- 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
- 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem”
“Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:
- Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
- Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
- Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
- Perform community service more than four times as often”
From “Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations,” Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts, Monograph, November 1998