Encouragement and Concerns: Arts, Music and Public Education

A February Interview with Chris Clark

Chris Clark, CEO Smart Foundation

Chris, what do you see that you are encouraged about concerning Music and Arts in the community?

I am very thankful that there are so many parents who value the arts for their children and support their participation in arts program. I think it’s wonderful that they see the value of arts and music for development creativity skills.

It is great to see so many school PTAs who commit and raise support for music programs on their campus. Their work is invaluable for continuing the work of music and arts at a local campus.

And Chris, are there any issues that are particularly concerning to you as we move into 2013?

Gov. Jerry Brown

There is a new law passed that affects local school programs. On January 1, 2013 Governor Brown signed AB 1575 into law. It will have a very significant affect on local schools; including arts and music programs.

This new law specifically prohibits imposing fees, charges or deposits by K-12 public and charter schools in California. These schools will now be required to offer equal activities either to every student free of charge or to none.

AB1575 creates a number of changing issues for public education. As an advocate for increasing opportunities for music, art, innovation and creativity here in Southern California, I want to help communicate with parents and supporters monthly so you can be informed about changing circumstances for our children within our education system.

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

This is the title of Sir Ken Robinson’s famous TEDTalk from 2006. It has been viewed by more than 80,000,000  people over the last 7 years. 

If the statement “Schools Kill Creativity” sounds new and outlandish to you, I understand. It’s still settling in for me too. I’m a fairly analytical type so I want to see some evidence. If you share my discomfort with the statement, take 20 minutes and listen to Sir Ken’s YouTube presentation.

Here’s further evidence that’s thought provoking. According to a recent Adobe creativity study (published on Dec 7, 2012), “88% of U.S. professionals believe that creativity should be built into standard curricula. Companies are looking for more than graduates who can do specific tasks; they want employees who can also think differently and innovate. To be successful, students need an education that emphasizes creative thinking, communication and teamwork.”

So Sir Ken Robinson has spoken well and 80 million have watched him. That’s impressive. But what’s his bio look like. His bio is found here. It is impressive. Further, he’s published as well on the topic too. Here's where his books and materials are listed.

Here are 5 points he makes about Schools Killing Creativity

1. Why don’t we get the best out of people? Sir Ken Robinson argues that it’s because we’ve been educated to become good workers, rather than creative thinkers. Students with restless minds and bodies – far from being cultivated for their energy and curiosity – are ignored or even stigmatized, with terrible consequences, “We are educating people out of their creativity,” Robinson says.
2. Our only hope for the future is to adopt a new conception of the human economy. One in which we reconstitute our conception of the richness of human capacity.
3. Our Education system has mined our minds in the ways we strip mine the earth for a particular commodity. And for the future it won’t service. We have to rethink the fundamental principles on which we are educating our children.
4. We must keep in focus the gift of the human imagination. We need to be careful to use this gift wisely and to avert the problems we are currently seeing.
5. We need to see our creative capacities for the richness they are and see our children for the hope that they are. Our task is to educate their whole being so that they can face the future and make something of it.

Do you recognize in your own children, grandchildren, neighbors, or friends this problem of a scarcity of opportunity for growing creativity in school?

Do you see how this is an intersecting conflict for our culture?

Do you think this will create a lasting impact for job and career opportunity?

Will this problem turn around with a little more time or will we need to get involved?

The SMART Foundation’s mission is to bring opportunity for arts and music to help build opportunities for creativity and innovation so that children can make something of their future for their sake and ours. Our hope is to create a dialog toward a response of love and action. We invite you to join us and participate with our action. This can happen with your time as a volunteer, or support financially.

All children are born Artists. The problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.  – Picasso