THIS is why we need art in our schools:

[Lizzie Poppet]

[derby378]

1. You're my favorite person for the next half-hour

[Laurian]

2. Love it! I have 5 year old twin granddaughters

who love ballet and art. That little girl could be one of mine.

Thanks.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. That is beautiful.

Of course I agree with you, as well.

[MuseRider]

4. Perfect.

As a musician with 2 sons who are working musicians I agree! Any art is good for the soul and the brain and just makes life so much more worth living.

[CherokeeDem]

5. Ah...imagination...

What we can do when inspired...

Thanks so much for posting this...it is delightful.

[They_Live]

60. Imagination

can solve almost any problem in the world.

[TlalocW]

6. You're right... her form is horrible

I hope the arts can be restored to her school before it's too late.

I'm joking of course.

TlalocW

[alittlelark]

7. That is such an incredible picture....

...It makes me smile, laugh, and want to hug my kids.

[Kennah]

8. Art kids are goofballs--and AWESOME!

My 11 year old has been in an after school art program at school for the last 4 years.

Something he did back in October that Wowed me.

[WinkyDink]

15. I love his style and his originality!

[Lizzie Poppet]

37. Wow...he's talented! (NT)

[Comrade_McKenzie]

41. I am 24 and I doubt I could pull that off. Well done! nt

[LeftofObama]

42. That is quite impressive!

Kudos to your 11 year old. That one's got talent!

[NoMoreWarNow]

66. I love how kids use color creatively

it's always impressed me with kid artwork.

[11 Bravo]

73. Very nice! (But is his name "Scum"?)

[Arugula Latte]

80. I think that says "Sam"

[Kennah]

94. Yes, it's Sam, but I can see how it does also look like Scum

[grahamhgreen]

9. And because media and art are the only thing we still produce.

[GoneOffShore]

11. Music, media, software and pizza.

Those are the only things we've got left.

Well, there is beer.

[grahamhgreen]

14. And weed!

[AndyTiedye]

10. Massively Kicked and Recommended!

[YoungDemCA]

12. K and R

[Phlem]

13. How right you are.

At the very least I can teach some to my child from home.



-p

[zeemike]

16. Let's start with art teachers in the schools..

More art, less football.

[Brother Buzz]

59. In my perfect big tent world, football revenue could underwrite the arts

[calimary]

88. Mine, too!!!

[petronius]

17. Reminds me of this story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

HE EMERGED FROM THE METRO AT THE L'ENFANT PLAZA STATION AND POSITIONED HIMSELF AGAINST A WALL BESIDE A TRASH BASKET. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he shrewdly threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money, swiveled it to face pedestrian traffic, and began to play.

--Snip--

No one knew it, but the fiddler standing against a bare wall outside the Metro in an indoor arcade at the top of the escalators was one of the finest classical musicians in the world, playing some of the most elegant music ever written on one of the most valuable violins ever made. His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities -- as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?

--Snip--

There was no ethnic or demographic pattern to distinguish the people who stayed to watch Bell, or the ones who gave money, from that vast majority who hurried on past, unheeding. Whites, blacks and Asians, young and old, men and women, were represented in all three groups. But the behavior of one demographic remained absolutely consistent. Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away.

--Snip--

[truedelphi]

27. Thanks for sharing that story. n/t

[OswegoAtheist]

29. "And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away."

That made me suddenly very sad.

Oswego " " Atheist

[longship]

43. OMG! Read the whole story.

I heard about this impromptu Joshua Bell Metro station recital shortly after it was released, I think on NPR, or something.

This is an awesome read. It will also break your heart.

[DollarBillHines]

69. Heartbreaking it is

An old love is one of the world's finest choreographers. She has worked with everyone - from Martha Graham to Nureyev to Alvin Ailey and Mark Morris.

We used to go to Grand Central with a few of her dancers and they would perform various movements. These were some of the finest dancers on the planet and they would pretty much get the same response as Mr Bell.

On the other hand, we would go out to the Botanical Society and they would work around the reflecting pond. 180 degree difference.

[longship]

71. Thank you, my friend.

The Joshua Bell sub thread is also pertinent. If I had heard Bach's Chaconne from his sonatas for solo violin in a subway station I would have stood, transfixed, eager for more, no matter the expertease of the musician. I would have been late for work, late for nearly anything in order to witness such a thing.

Peace to you.

[DollarBillHines]

72. The article was Art.

I sent it to every Artist I know - painters, sculptors, photogs, actors, musicians and dancers.

That, in itself, was an act. Today is the first time I have ever realized how many tremendously talented friends I have. That realization is somewhat humbling.

[arikara]

62. I remember that story

I'd like to think that I'd be one who'd stop to listen. I do stop sometimes to listen to street performers.

[Agony]

18. YES!

Cheers,
Agony

[nolabear]

19. Aesthetic: the opposite of anaesthetic. WAKE THE FUCK UP!!

Best thing an art history professor ever taught me.

[awoke_in_2003]

63. I never thought of those two words like that...

and it is do obvious.

[Aristus]

20. Kids always respond very candidly to art.

Yes, we definitely need more arts education in this country.

[Music Man]

21. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Artists tend to be the first ones to notice absurd things in society. This kid will grow up to be one of the sane ones

Is this your child? If not, where'd you stumble across this gem?

[Lizzie Poppet]

38. Spotted on my Facebook feed. (nt)

[Demo_Chris]

22. As an artist myself, that is seriously one of the most inspirational images I have ever seen

Thanks

[rrneck]

23. Wow! That little girl made that painting dance! nt

[Bozita]

89. Yes, she sure did!

[ReRe]

24. Thank you so much for sharing...

... I totally agree with you. I love that little girl expressing herself. Disallowing arts in school is like telling a child not to speak unless spoken to.

[2naSalit]

25. Art was always my favorite part of school

when I was a child. When they cut school funds and stopped having art, I stopped attending. Fortunately, a quarter of a century later, when I went to college I immediately got into some art classes... it was the only way I could get interested and discipline myself to go every day, it was my reward for going to college in my mid thirties. I can totally relate to this little girl, I remember doing almost the exact same thing when i saw Degas' paintings of the ballerinas at about the same age.

Thanks for sharing, heartwarming!

[progressoid]

26. I just saw this this afternoon too.

LOVE IT!!

[Whovian]

28. We don't often agree but a big K&R on this wonderful post.

[rightsideout]

30. Creativity is important

[TDale313]

31. Lovely. Thanks so much for sharing this. n/t

[moondust]

32. K/R

[go west young man]

33. I'm guessing that's Isadora Duncan.

That free spirited style she brought to dance was revolutionary. We need that beautiful free spirited creative mindset taught to our children. The "business" of schooling children is one of the biggest problems facing our country. Art, wonder, magic, and mystery and romance need to return to the lives of children.

[Crabby Appleton]

40. It's Anna Pavlova by John Lavery painted in 1910

at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.

Beautiful photo.

[go west young man]

57. Ah thanks so much.

Good to know. The way she sways so freely in the fairy like white dress had me thinking it was Isadora. Tres cool info. Thanks.

[Heidi]

34. Kick!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

35. Wow. This is just beautiful.

[ErikJ]

36. Art is a waste of time

[Cobalt Violet]

44. I'd rather art than that piece of crap.

[Romulox]

52. You might want to reconsider your personal definition of "art" before posting again.

[Cobalt Violet]

70. Do tell me all about it.

As an artist I really need you to educate me all about art.

[Romulox]

76. Good artists usually have *open* minds. nt

[Cobalt Violet]

91. The poster stated that art is a "waste of time".

I'm not open to the idea that my whole being is a "waste of time". Pretty fucking insulting.

[Romulox]

93. He was being *ironic*. nt

[MindPilot]

87. I think you missed the point.

[Cobalt Violet]

92. So do tell me then the point of saying that "art is a waste of time". n/t

[MindPilot]

95. The comment was sarcastic, ironic, even.

Art is much more than just painting and sculpture. And if art is not taught, not only will there be no one to design cool machinery, there will be no one to appreciate it.

[handmade34]

45. "not my father's bike"

love seeing so many designs of bikes... how about more art (and engineering)

[datasuspect]

39. efficient debt slaves don't need art

they need standardized testing

[Brickbat]

46. In my lower-middle-class elementary school in the 1970s, we had a dedicated art teacher.

Of course, we did a lot of craft projects in class, and there were always crayons and clay and tempera paints. But every Monday, two kids from each class got to go down to the art room and work on a project for a week. The art teacher was short and demanding and a little scary, and encouraged kids to try new things. If you loved to paint, she'd push you toward a sculpture. If you liked mobiles, she'd suggest making a board game. At the end of the week, you brought your project back to class and did a show-and-tell about it.

Her room was a magical place. I remember it as an endless warren of boxes full of feathers, cloth scraps and string. Stacks of construction paper and newspaper stood in corners. She had tubs of clay and gallons of glue. If you wanted buttons, she pulled out bowls of them. If you needed toilet-paper rolls, she asked how many. If you decided that what would be perfect for your sculpture was a gold-tone costume necklace with glass jewels the color of rubies, she would disappear behind a pile of rug remnants to emerge with just the thing you were looking for.

The room was hot and had no windows and smelled like paint. The scissors were always sharp and the glue bottles never clogged up. There was no rush and while she often had suggestions for your work, nothing you did was wrong. I still dream about the place sometimes.

[marzipanni]

61. I wonder if your art teacher is still alive?

It would be cool if you could send her this reminiscence. I've heard people on Storycorps on NPR talking to a former teacher and it's so touching when a teacher finds out that a former student was inspired by, and remembers them, so many years later.

[marew]

47. Great art also includes great music!

I heard Beethoven's Ninth in middle age and haven't been the same since...

[VPStoltz]

55. No kidding...!

Music IS the greatest of arts: from one mind through the medium of another to yours with none of them being able to touch it.
I heard the slow movement of the Beethoven 5th played by the Berlin Phil. when President Kennedy was killed and THAT was turning point in my life. Something so powerfully beautiful performed to give emotion with something so powerfully tragic.

[pangaia]

84. I suggest it may have been the 2nd movement from

the Beethoven 7th Symphony, or possibly from the 3rd symphony.
The 2nd movement from the 3rd symphony is actually marked Marcia funebre.
The 2nd movement from the 7th symphony is not marked as a funeral march but it was played a great deal at the time of JFK's assassination.

Of course von Karajan was 'his own man' so perhaps he did play the 5th symphony's slow movement, although it is not quite as appropriate as the other two.

[AlbertCat]

48. Quantity and Quality

The current USA and especially (tho' not just) the GOP are all about quantity and quality is being ignored. I mean, who the hell wants to go to a school full of armed guards?

Art adds quality. It should be commissioned and paid for. Sure 90% of art is not Vermeer and Van Gogh, but that's true at any given time in history. The passage of time weeds out the chaff, leaving the yummy kernels for future generations.

It's not for kids. It's for adults. But in school, learning about painting teaches how images, color and symbols can move and effect people. Learning about theatre and poetry teaches how words can be wielded to say more than just their dictionary meanings. And also makes it possible to recognize BAD ACTING and INSINCERE THEATRE.... a very useful trait as an adult (especially at election time).

The history of all those paintings and buildings and plays and music gives you an idea of where you are in your own civilization, and who else has influenced your civilization.

It's simply not superfluous or just decoration. It's important.

[allan01]

49. re:THIS is why we need art in our schools:

when i was little . my mom was a ca teacher and she took summers off to raise us . we did a lot of museuming for that very reason. when the folk who decided that "we need to return back to the baiscs" and took out art in the schools , that was a big mistake . a local high school here decided to fight tooth and nail to keep its music and art programs . parents got involed and they became a after school program. my grandad was a man ahead of his time . he said " the california school system gave him the tools so he could teach his kids on sunday this is brill . old saying art imitates life gobama

[JamesJ]

50. I absolutely agree

but the only way this beautiful little girl gets funding for her school is if she's holding a football.

[Romulox]

51. We don't teach basic survival skills in school. Teach art to tide us over while starving?

[AtheistCrusader]

54. Yes we do.

In school I learned how to mend my clothes. How to cook. How to swim. How to balance my checkbook. How to find employment, including how to do a resume and practice interviews. How to think critically, from debate, to mathematics. How to not get my girlfriend pregnant, preserving our earning potential and freedom until we were ready to start a family. CPR. Food safe handling.

We had some side activities and groups for things like camping and how to build a shelter, but those were not really official, so they probably don't count a whole lot.

But the vast majority of things I needed for life, I learned in the Seattle Public School system, and I am grateful for it. Who knows where I would be without it.

[Romulox]

77. I'm talking about skills that allow one to make a living in 21st century America.

In school I learned how to mend my clothes. How to cook. How to swim. How to balance my checkbook. How to find employment, including how to do a resume and practice interviews.

Perhaps it was a different era, but I learned precisely NONE of those things in school. I doubt today's kids learn that, either.

[AtheistCrusader]

82. I hope it hasn't changed THAT much in 12 years.

[AlbertCat]

56. basic survival skills in school.

Yeah.... all that socializing in school is just useless.

Again... the quantity/quality thing. Even hunter/gatherers made necklaces and decorated tools.

[Romulox]

78. WHAT are we training these kids for? What kind of jobs? That's to what I referred... nt

[AlbertCat]

83. What kind of jobs?

Jobs where you need not know anything about your culture...except maybe sports.

[samsingh]

53. nice

[sadbear]

58. That pic reminds me of this one:

[antigop]

64. art and music. Less football, less sports. K&r nt

[pangaia]

85. I agree.

But are and music is always the first to receive cuts.
Art, dance, music are the soul of a people. Without "art'..nothing.
They are what help keep a nation sane.

[antigop]

86. +1000. You stated it well. Thank you. nt

[marzipanni]

65. Yes!!! (... and in our parks!)

Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha.
- Robert Brault

[Bozita]

90. That's terrific too!

[SemperEadem]

67. Art doing what art does best: inspiring expression

this is a delightful picture

[madrchsod]

68. during my high school daze i had an offer to go to art school

i had my teachers recommendations and a family friend who was going to pay my way to the art institute in chicago. dumb ass me i turned it down.

oh well....

[KauaiK]

74. I LOVE this photo

Thank you. This makes my day today.....

[Deep13]

75. pretty much. nt

[mcar]

79. Beautiful

Just beautiful. Also, watching the parade with my high school marching band drummer so. Another need for arts.

[watch the sky]

81. art about art

seen this before not so long ago:

http://pinterest.com/pin/254312710179508506/

big art history buff here, great thread