by Nisa Sharma – Published in Parent:Wise Austin Magazine – February 2005 – copyright

It’s very rare that the state takes time to stop and celebrate the whole child. In fact, it’s very rare when legislators, in general, stop to think about how important the arts are to educating children. It’s not that they despise the arts; they just typically aren’t aware of the arts, and don’t think of the arts as foundation areas such as math or language. But President Bush’s program, “No Child Left Behind,” as well as Texas state law, defines the arts as “core academic subjects.”

On February 28, with the help of State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education (TCQAE), the State of Texas will celebrate “Arts Education Day” at the State Capitol Rotunda and South Lawn. This event will feature music and dance celebrations from students and schools from all over the state. Outstanding artwork from around Texas also will be on exhibit throughout the month in the Capitol Extension building.

This is the fifth anniversary of Arts Education Day. Student performances – including jazz bands, orchestra, mrichis, dance ensembles, theater, and choirs – will begin at noon in the Capitol Rotunda and also from 1:30-5 p.m. on the South Steps of the Capitol. (Performances may also be held in the House and Senate Chambers.

This spotlight on rt is more than just a command performance. James M. Clark, Executive Director of TCQAE, points to research every parent should know: “The arts help children better understand the concepts measured on various tests… [they] develop valued competencies… such as being an effective communicator, a proficient problem solver, self-directed worker and thinker, culturally and globally aware… and a responsible citizen,” he says.

Together with the Texas Music Educators Association, the TCQAE is spearheading the GoArts.org campaign to electronically gather a list of tens of thousands of registered voters in the state of Texas who believe it is the state’s responsibility to fund fine arts education in our schools. You can show your support for this campaign by going to www.GoArts.org and adding your name. This list of voters who believe in fine arts funding will eventually be presented to the legislators to remind them of fine arts when it comes to school financing.

The TCQAE also has many tools available for becoming involved in articulating the importance of educating the whole child. In particular, it distributes an Arts Advocacy Toolkit with tips and tricks on how to engage legislators, businesses, other parents, administrators and school board members in the inclusion of the fine arts as a core academic subject.

To find out more about the Texas Coalition for the Quality of Arts Education, go to the website: www.txarts.net/tcqae.

Nisa Sharma designs this magazine each month. She currently sports blue hair and has just started cello lessons. She is a professional mom to her two children (and husband) and they all live happily in Cedar Park.