I’ve been corresponding with Carole Kane, beadworkbydesign.com. One of Carole’s designs will be in the January issue of BeadStyle. Carole works as an art teacher, so it’s not surprising that her Web site is not fully up yet. This fall when she returned to school, she learned that she had lost her art room; her classes are now held in the school cafeteria and she is lugging her supplies around on a cart.
My children attended Elm Creative Arts School, www2.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/elm so that they would have the opportunity to have music, dance, theater, creative writing, and visual arts woven throughout their days. This school attracts students from all over the city. There’s usually a waiting list to get in. Like most good schools, Elm is under funded. Each year, this wonderful school has to fight to keep her programs and her gifted teachers. It’s even tougher for regular schools like the one in which Carole teaches. It’s unimaginable that some schools have NO art teacher at all.
How do we begin to help people understand the importance of the Arts in education? In a time when meeting state standards take precedence; schools’ futures are dependent upon kids being skilled test takers. Too often overlooked is the proven connection between immersion in the arts and academic success. It seems if a skill can’t be measured, tested, and documented, then it’s not worth learning. Having fun with kids seems to have reached taboo status and resources for the arts are dwindling. So, It looks like it’s the responsibility of we outraged, creative types to bring art to the under served.
The BeadStyle staff is attempting to do just that. During September and October, we will share our jewelry making talents with a group of students at Notre Dame middle school, ssnd-milw.org. Some day these girls may recognize and work towards social justice. They may become art teachers like Carole. But for a few hours this fall, there will be no meeting state standards, no mastery, no measuring achievement, no documentation, just jewelry making – just for fun.