I am being consumed...

I am coming to a realization about myself, and possibly a realization about the current culture. I find myself becoming more and more a consumer and less and less a creator. It seems to me that I spend the majority of my free time - which isn't much - online reading blogs, tweets, status updates, etc. I justify it by saying I am learning and becoming aware of new things, new techniques for creating music, new ways of teaching, new photography techniques, and yet I never seem to get around to using what I am learning. I purchase numerous apps and software for music creation but I never seem to get around to learning how to use them and, more importantly, using them to make music. I read about cooking, composing, photography, teaching, dieting, but I do none of those things on a regular basis. I wonder that our society is facing the same struggle. I see those who work hard all day long at a job they don't particularly enjoy, then go home and live vicariously through others' achievements. We follow people's activities and pass on the creativity of others, sharing it through our various social network avenues. I think it is time we put down the iPhone/iPad/computer and do something productive....wait, someone just tweeted me......

Mike Huckabee: Art and Music Education

As part of an interview with The Des Moines Register, Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate, discusses his views on the need for art and music education in the schools...

The Future of the Arts

The education world is in turmoil, and change is imminent. It is no secret that the current accepted methods of teaching are due for an update, and that truth is causing unrest and lively discussion among educators at all levels. Add to that the financial difficulties that local districts, states, and even countries are experiencing and it is evident that a crisis is at hand.

Unfortunately, as changes are being discussed and financial decisions are being made, the fine arts curriculum seems to be one of the first areas that is deemed expendable. As you might guess, this bothers me...a lot.

I understand and support learning in all areas. I think our citizens young and old should have an insatiable hunger for knowledge. I believe the more knowledge you have in different areas, the better you are at communicating with and relating to the world around you. However, to remove or limit opportunities to experience and study the fine arts cripples the individual's ability for self-expression, creativity, and aesthetic appreciation.

I just finished reading words by Bob Bryant, who is the Executive Director of Fine Arts for the Katy Independent School District. His writing, "The Importance of Fine Arts Education," is on the district web site, and is an excellent explanation of the necessity for continued education in the visual and performing arts.

Whether you are a student, parent, educator, or community member I encourage you to stand up for fine arts education. As John F. Kennedy said, "Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people." Let's not allow our creativity to be stifled.