Supporting the Arts
Why it’s important to connect to the creative side of school
When you think about what your child does at school each day, an image of him raising his hand to solve a math problem probably comes to mind before an image of him raising that same hand, with paintbrush, to an easel. But the school arts program, which could include drama, music, and fine arts, is an important aspect of your child's development. Here's what you need to know to get involved:
What's good about art?
- It contributes to making a well-rounded student.
- It encourages the pursuit of extracurricular hobbies.
- It is a fantastic stress reliever.
- It provides a sense of worth.
- It is a showcase for creative expression.
What can I do to support the arts?
Donate time, money, and expertise.
Chaperone field trips. Is your child's class going to the ballet or opera? Show her that you think it's important by going along! It's also nice for you to be able to discuss the performance afterward, having seen it firsthand.
Help coordinate the talent show. Find out who's in charge of the school's talent show — or start one yourself! Offer to man the ticket station or hand out programs. Even if your child isn't participating, he might admire a peer who performed on the piano — and that could be the nudge he needs to try an instrument himself.
Lend a hand setting up the annual art fair. It's a wonderful occasion to display the paintings, drawings, sculptures, that students worked so hard on all year. Some schools showcase the art and give awards while others prefer to simply exhibit the creations for all to see. Either way, any aid you offer will be taken with appreciation.
Fundraise! Organize an event to raise funds or supplies. While bake sales, penny wars, car washes, and walk-a-thons are easy ways to get funds for new choral robes, sometimes money isn't always the answer. Get creative and set up a donation station for props for the spring musical. And even if you don't organize a fundraiser, consider investing in whatever is being sold.
Volunteer to help with the school play. Do you have experience with lighting? Offer to help the stagehands. Are you handy with a sewing machine? Volunteer to make costumes. Extra hands are always needed backstage, from applying stage makeup to carrying pieces of the set offstage. Students in middle school and high school productions handle these supporting aspects just fine, but younger students need more supervision.
What will my child do in a typical school arts program?
Drama
Plays. Younger elementary school students often do dramatic reenactments of the first Thanksgiving, while middle school students may tackle Shakespeare. Remember that regardless of whether your child seeks the spotlight or gets stage fright, smaller supporting parts are just as important as leading roles, and are an excellent opportunity to steal the show.
Musical theatre. Musicals, like Grease! or Bye, Bye, Birdie, are school favorites because of the lighthearted storylines, and offer the chance to show off acting, singing, or dancing skills — or all three!
To encourage your child's inner actor: Read aloud together. It builds confidence and helps him develop character "voices."
3 benefits of drama class:
- Sharpens sense of plot, setting, and characters — all integral aspects of being a good reader, too!
- Improvisation is fun and allows a chance to act silly in school.
- Flexes memory muscles when it's time to remember lines.
Art
History. In early art instruction, starting in upper elementary school, children are usually exposed to some of the big names in art, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, or Jackson Pollock. Your child may even have an opportunity to write a report about an artist, which is a wonderful way to expose her to different kinds of art, and by extension, lesser known artists.
Photography. Photography is more common in middle school and high school, where your amateur photographer can take both artistic shots and snap pictures for the yearbook or school newspaper. It's a fine way to develop an eye for detail, so why not start early: Give your grade-schooler an inexpensive disposable camera.
Painting and drawing. The best thing about painting and drawing is that students of all ages can do it at any skill level. Instruction in basic art classes includes learning about the color wheel, different mediums (oil paints, charcoal, watercolor), and experimenting with landscapes, portraits, and still life subjects.
Sculpture and 3D art. Your child could have exposure to pottery, modeling with clay, or weaving in elementary school, and continue on with other forms of 3D art, like sculpture or printmaking, in middle school. All of these are great alternate outlets to drawing or painting, and many students who want to try a different kind of art thrive with these mediums.
To encourage your child's inner artist: Give her freedom to be messy, draw outside lines, and see beauty in her wild scribbles.
3 benefits of art class:
- Boosts creativity.
- Releases stress or frustration in a healthy way.
- There are no wrong answers!
Music
Choir. In many cases, choir isn't offered as a class until middle school or high school, though younger students may have more informal singing time. It's still a great way for your child to get in harmony with his peers, and more advanced levels of choir usually offer a section on music theory, exploring more than just the notes.
Instrumental music. Younger students may begin practicing the recorder if they've never had any training with instruments. This way, the entire class can be in tune together. The focus is usually on more classical selections, but in middle school or high school, there could be an opportunity to perform modern music in the jazz band.
To encourage your child's inner musician: Sing at the top of your lungs in the car for fun. Listen to classical music during math homework — it stimulates the same part of the brain.
3 benefits of music class:
- Being part of a large group builds self-worth.
- Fosters an appreciation for all sorts of music beyond what's playing on the radio.
- Teaches the value of practice and hard work.
What happens if my school cuts the arts program?
If a school must cut the budget, arts programs are nearly always the first to go. Though it is justified — core curriculum like math or reading should get priority with funding — it doesn't mean you have to watch your child miss out on drama, music, and art.
Take initiative!
- See what needs to be done to prevent cutting the program. Talk to the administration to brainstorm ideas to save the arts.
- Investigate grants available for teachers, which can help bring the program back in a smaller scale.
- Find parent volunteers to share art skills or knowledge.
- Form partnerships with non-profit art groups.
- Talk to the teacher about integrating subjects, like art with history.
- Set up an after-school drama club.
- Contact philanthropists through the community's theatre or ballet. See if they would be willing to hook the school up with a speaker or even donate performance tickets for a class trip.
