Art & Music Vanishing from Schools

The month of August used to signal the beginning of "field show practice, football practice, and the color guard making banners in the art rooms at all of our schools, but no more. What used to pull whole towns together on Friday nights or Saturday mornings are no longer in today's society of "no child left behind, and English as a Second language. When we had art and music in our school systems, English was "the" language and we were better for it. Since that time has past and the arts eliminated or other resources, the school discipline problems have soared and there's no recourse for those who once would have pursued their "gift" after middle and high school. The dying of our art and music classes situation in American schools is sad.

The biggest issue with not having adequate art and music programs available to those students who are artistically inclined, is that they no longer have an outlet to develop their talent. What it does do is put more emphasis on math and reading, however math and reading typically are not stumbling blocks for artists or the musicians. The other aspect to not having these programs is that the school esprit de corps is not longer present in the schools nor the small towns who were entertained and hosted by these young musicians. While large cities may not notice, but some small towns would center their whole week around the "Bands" next field show. So not only are the programs gone from the schools, but the towns too.

Additionally, the art departments are diminished as well. They have been scaled back to the point that any young artist in school must look for "outside" art competitions to further their talent. These very type of contests were once present in our American schools and the competition was great. Some of the kids went on to college, furthering their artistic talent via different methods. Unfortunately, at the present, it is difficult for the average art student as that competition vehicle is now gone. The art students now are relegated to designing, and holding their own art shows within the school gyms. There are fewer hallway banners or pieces portrayed in the hallways for open display.

Sadly, this trend is not getting better only worse. Soon a time will come whether the children will even know of art or music at school. the cost of art supplies, the rental of musical instruments and band uniforms are well outside the budgets of most American families in this tough economy, however even in the Great Depression, our schools still held art and music programs because school administrators felt it more important to produce a "well rounded student" than just turning a student out. Its not that we simply can't afford the essential pieces for the programs, the money can be found, but its the mind set that has changed for today's kids. The administration now feels that music and art are no longer that important to the long range goal. As well, they no longer fit into the nice mold for tomorrows technology, therefore are construed as no longer necessary. As many schools attempt to hold on to the programs they have, many are simply folding their high schoolers spirit and any potential hidden talent.