My mom and I got to talking the other day about how very few people today can actually carry a tune. We had just come back from Storytime at Chapters where the lady leading the program was rather...free with her interpretation of tune to Old MacDonald. I was remarking how the circle time at my local Early Years Centre was much better, but that not nearly as many people went there. I kept going on, wondering who picked this woman to lead storytime? Did she volunteer? Was that the best they had? And my mom came back with an interesting tidbit. Most kids aren't taught much of anything about music since cuts to the arts programs in schools.
This floored me. It's funny how facts that you hear and understand don't really hit home until you come face to face with them. My kids aren't in school yet, so I haven't really been personally affected by the cuts yet. I knew about them, of course, but somehow it just didn't occur to me that when my kids went to school, they wouldn't have a music class just as I did. Sometimes I can be really dense.
I don't know what idiot decided that the arts aren't necessary, but I'd like to have a little conversation with him. One that involves my foot in his backside. OF COURSE, reading, writing and arithmetic are important and should be given as much emphasis as possible in the curriculum, but does that mean that the arts have to disappear altogether? Cannot they co-exist peacefully?
I've gotten the distinct impression that some people consider drama, art and music to be "frivolous". That children will never have a need for these skills, so why should the schools give them any time. Better that they should spend their time learning "useful" skills that will help them to get a "sensible" job that helps them provide an "essential" service to the public. I'm not arguing that. We need these essential services. We need doctors and teachers and engineers. We need them to live our lives.
But the arts - they are what we are living for. I would be hard pressed to find someone who does not listen to music, watch film or television, or look at pictures in magazines and books. The arts help us express ourselves through clothing, or scrapbooking or home decorating. They're all around us. We live our lives in colour, music and emotion, not simply in facts and figures. Don't let anyone tell you that the arts are not a necessity. They're wrong. Plain and simple.
If you can, find a way to show your support. Talk to your schools. Tell them how important they are to you. Do your gift-buying from places like Etsy instead of big box stores and show local artisans that gifts handmade with love are special. Support local theatres by going out and catching a show. There's so much you can do. And if you need a little push to get going...
Four years and two sons later, at long last, Mama Drama is going to be in a play again. If you're in the Toronto area, come out and see it. If you're not, take this button that the fabulous katie (motherbumper) created and post it on your blog, website, whatever. Spread the word. We're just a local theatre group and we can use all the word of mouth we can get. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step. Take it with me.
Not only are arts important culturally and socially, but there has long been established a link between musicality and early literacy.
Children that are introduced to music, singing, rhythm and instrumentation, learn how to speak, read and do math earlier and easier.
And s btw - love the button!
Posted by: kgirl | January 29, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Music and math are intimately linked, along with art. Cutting the arts out of schools is a big mistake. However, there are options for outside programs, at least, which helps. I know I've helped my boys' school by donating art supplies, and hope to encourage the arts in all ways that I can at home!
Posted by: Naomi | January 29, 2009 at 11:17 AM
When I was a kid in the stone age we had arts and music in school all the way through high school. And my high school music program was the best in the province - this in a regular academic-y high school. Now it has all been cut to ribbons.
I soooo agree with you - arts are what we live for and how we express who we are. An education is so much more than worksheets and flash cards.
And the have/have not divide is really sad - some of us are fortunate to afford out of school arts and music programs. Many if not most cannot do so. V. v. sad.
Posted by: Mamalooper | January 29, 2009 at 11:47 AM