The Arts

Arts Education

District of Columbia churches, theaters, clubs and museums are a terrific resource.  And a huge low cost opportunity for our kids and schools.

Some jurisdictions argue that cash strapped schools should sacrifice everything "unnecessary" in favor of the "essentials" — English, Math, and Science.  And it's true that the infrastructure for music, theater, dance and visual arts is expensive.

But when have you asked someone to recite an equation or show you an essay?  As a very practical matter the Arts are at the core of communication.  So it becomes important to preserve the Arts in our curriculum.

It is definitely more convenient and efficient to have performance space and studio space available in each school; but clearly, an interim solution lies in tapping the vast resources that already exist in the District.

What We're Doing

On May 21, the State Board of Education unanimously approved the District of Columbia's first-ever learning standards for dance, theater, music and the visual arts.  These sweeping new standards outline what students from preschool through grade 12 are expected to know and to do in such areas as choreography and set design.  They also compel teachers to integrate the arts-including visits to museums, plays and concerts-throughout the curriculum.

Each school has different needs so contact them.

That's a quick answer.  I plan to check around for some more concrete suggestions and post them here when I have a moment.  Your suggestions and comments are always welcome.

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