The Importance of Art Education

The Montclair, NJ School District recently laid off? many of their Music and Art Teachers*.? People at One River School of Art and Design were left scratching their heads wondering why this school district, with a history of having great arts programs, would do so.

We suspect that at the root of the decision which was mostly a result of budget cuts, is the assumption that the arts don’t matter.? In fact, when we look at how artists are valued in our society, it is alarming.? An artist, musician, writer, actor or other creative person will often study more years than a Lawyer, Doctor or Accountant to perfect their craft and yet, at the end of that will be left barely scratching a living from part-time jobs while trying to continue to create their artwork on the side.

Maybe it stems from the puritanical roots of the modern day society in the United States that art is not prioritized.? Other countries have government funded programs that support the arts, whereas in the USA it is mostly private philanthropy that does so.? A major exception to this was the WPA program in the 1930s during the Great Depression.? At that time, jobs were created for writers, artists, musicians, photographers etc. ** While many other jobs were created, the WPA is now most widely praised for its support of the creative fields.? However, at the time it was criticized and this prompted Harry Hopkins, aide to FDR, to respond with: "Hell, they've got to eat just like other people."

I would go one step further than Harry Hopkins.? It’s not just about feeding the artists.? It’s a 2 way street.? The artists feed our souls.? A world without art would be a nightmare.? In almost every work of dystopian fiction the soulless societies are depicted as lacking in individualism and creativity.? Art is where we learn to be ourselves, it’s where we explore our own identities, our own place in the world.? And, in creating art we allow others to enrich their lives too.? Nobody wants to live in a dystopian world.

In Montclair, the parent protests at Board of Education meetings have been felt.? Everyone is passionate about getting their children access to a first rate arts education.? Parents know how important art education is for their children’s development.?

At One River School of Art and Design we watch the wonderful flowering of our students through the art education they are receiving.? It’s more than just learning technique.? It’s about becoming an individual whose opinions matter, who has something to say to the world, who can express themselves through their art.? Realistically, very few of our students will go on to make a living as artists later in life, but they will have art in their lives because of the foundation that One River gives them.? Their lives will be enriched in countless ways by this early experience.? They have been given a chance to develop abilities that will serve them well in whatever they choose to do in their futures.

When we hire, we look for people who are as passionate about their students as they are about their art. Check out our website for information about classes and job opportunities: https://oneriverschool.com/

*https://www.njedreport.com/2022/05/19/montclair-superintendent-surprises-everyone-including-the-school-board-with-83-staff-cuts/#:~:text=The%20Montclair%20School%20District%20on,most%20vulnerable%20students%2C%20and%20more

?**https://www.npr.org/2020/04/04/826909516/in-the-1930s-works-program-spelled-hope-for-millions-of-jobless-americans