Our Government likes to get out of supporting the arts by asking us (we, who make our living in the arts), “where should we take the money from to give to the arts?”
Simple: Take it from an area that is not working to help society and give it one that will. Take it from THE EDUCATION SYSTEM .
Of course, we (as a society) don’t have the guts or courage to attack this sacred (sick) cow. If even just a tiny fraction of the money was diverted to arts support for children we’d end up with a better world because more children would learn how to think, be creative and thrive in our world. (The days of factory schooling is dead, but we continue — another topic).
It’s funny really, the arts community gets accused of being whiners always asking for more money, but we’re babies compared to those in the education system when it comes to whining.
If one thing has come from the nightmare of the last two years in the funding arena, it’s that our whining has only just begun. We need to keep whining, roaring and yes, getting as nasty about it as those in the education system are in fighting for what we think will help society.
Of course, it’s a red herring when the BCTF talks about what’s best for students. They really care primarily for what’s best for themselves. We should do the same.
A related article from Wednesday’s NY Times: Teachers Wonder, Why the Scorn?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/education/03teacher.html?_r=1&src=/me&ref=homepage
Wow, John you actually said it! There are so many reasons why public schooling as we have it simply isn’t working. You mentioned “factory schooling”; yes, this was the 19th century model, why are we still stuck with it. Now I’d better get on with my “Ten Arguments for the Elimination of School” blog. OK, so I’ve only done three so far–hey, I know what the others are; I’m working on it. The three can be found here: http://tdurrie.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/three-of-ten/
Sometimes what seems the most outrageous is actually the most sensible.