Inspire Future Artists

As a whole, our schools in this country are losing funding, and University City is not immune. We have seen hundreds of teachers in Missouri and East St. Louis lose their jobs. When budgets are tightened, the arts are usually the first to be cut. Although academics are fundamental, the benefits of music, art and dance cannot be discounted.

Visual arts provide children with an opportunity to observe and study their subject. The purpose, of course, is to express what they have observed using an artistic medium. Developing these skills translates into an aptitude for problem-solving in math, science and writing. When children can visualize a problem and develop a mental image to solve it, they develop a life skill which can help them in future work and play.

The arts are particularly helpful in children who come from underprivileged homes, many of whom face indifference and stress in their every day lives. These experiences may cause children to exhibit anxiety, problems integrating socially and a lack of verbal skills. Art is often used as a therapeutic tool to improve social and cognitive skills in these children and to advance their emotional maturity, which may be lacking.

The simple act of displaying a child's artwork is a great way to build confidence and self-esteem. A great book that exemplifies this principle is The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, and may be ordered on the website.

If you know of a child here in University City that can benefit from art therapy, , run by Jane Seelig, is available. The practice specializes in therapy for distressed children, using various forms of treatment, including art therapy.

Art is a free form of expression, a process of self discovery, physically, emotionally and intellectually. The inherent appreciation of creativity in art provides a safe setting to step out of "the box" and be just that, creative and inspired.

We hope that the University City public school curriculum will fulfill the artistic yearnings of our children, but if your kids need more inspiration there are many places to get your paint on here in University City. One of the best places to do this is the. The Delmar Loop location offers classes in clay, painting and drawing, flame working with glass (for teens), metalsmith, fabrics and mosaics.

Other places to enjoy your creative side here in University City are as well as galleries like Componere and much more.

According to the 2009 College Board, students who take four years of art and music classes while in high school scored 91 points better on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less.

Bernard Young, a member of the National Task Force on the Arts in Education, and a professor at the School of Art at Arizona State University was quoted in the College Board’s report, "Arts at the Core: Recommendations for advancing the state of arts education in the 21st Century":

"When we think of American arts we may think of Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo”; Jacob Lawrence’s “The Migration of the Negro”; Yo-Yo Ma, the world-class cellist who has a strong commitment not only to his music but to educational programs; Gloria Estefan, the founder of the Miami Sound Machine or Carlos Santana’s “Supernatural.” The arts have a long history of being an important part of the lives of under-served and multicultural students. The history and performance of the arts have created educational opportunities for under-served students for decades."

The arts benefit all children and adults as well. Pick up a paint brush with your children and let art awaken the creative, forward thinking minds we may neglect because of our everyday responsibilities. It is not just a learning experience, it can be fun and relaxing for all.