Emily Bresnahan
It seems as if all people care about these days is how we perform on standardized tests, so to improve these scores we cut everything but math, reading, and MCAS practice. But ironically this may be exactly why our scores are less than admirable.
According to Do Something, a non-profit organization for young people & social change, arts and music education programs are mandatory in countries that rank consistently among the highest for math and science test scores, such as Japan, Hungary, and the Netherlands. If this is the case, why are arts and music programs always the first to have their budgets cut? As President of the Art Club and a member of Chorus and Drama Club, I have experienced first hand how neglected the fine arts departments are. Our paintbrushes are hardened, our costumes are stained, and our stage is falling apart; yet there is nothing we can do about it. This is often the case for many public schools across the country.
When budget cuts are discussed in school districts, the art department is normally the first to feel the pain. Overall, arts and music classes have been on the decline. In 1999, 20 percent of schools offered drama classes, but that number dropped to 4 percent in 2009. In a quote from Matt Wilson, MASSCreative Executive Director, he states that “Massachusetts is home to large-scale museums, theaters, and orchestras, as well as numerous community-based playhouses and art centers that drive our economy, enhance the academic performance of our students, and build vibrant, connected communities. Core to the success of these cultural institutions is public investment in the arts through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The budget proposed today by the House Ways and Means Committee is a step backwards.”
Without the funding from their own school districts, Fine Art Departments are forced to rely on private funds and donations. This is true in our own school district, since the only way we were able to afford new curtains for our theatre was from a private donation. Without the necessary funds to run a successful art program, art programs across the country will start to disappear. It's time to make a change and help support the arts and music departments in your town.
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