Archive for April, 2012
April a.r.t. Blog
“The arts give kids an invisible crown & a cape in order to dance through their world.” –CMR
Happy Spring, a.r.t.-ists!
I feel it would be stupid (my four-year-old niece would not approve the use of that adjective) for me not to use this month’s blog to spread the word about our a.r.t. benefit concert this spring. Can I believe it is our third one? I cannot. But it makes me happy to think about. But I am not happy; I am not smiling when I think of the following.
After teaching thousands and thousands of children over the years, I cannot wrap my head around what is happening in so many of our schools. You would think that schools would be the most positive and colorful environments EVER. Yet, with each school I enter, there have been more and more feelings of sadness and discouragement. Recently, I clicked a photo that says so much. (see chair photo) Our buildings where learning is taking place and children should be lifted up to learn and discover and grow are broken. Many are broken for some of the following reasons:
yelling and screaming children during instructional time
broken/lack of needed supplies
lack of much needed services for children who experience life challenges such as a family member being incarcerated, homelessness, emotional disabilities, etc.
teachers feel run down and overwhelmed by the feelings of not feeling supported, appreciated and/or seen as a professional
I see the power dance education brings to little kindergarteners every week. Their smiles are gigantic. But those smiles are not what I see when I walk through our schools. There is shame and discouragement, negativity and toxic feelings and emotions. It’s in the air. You can more than sense it… you can feel it in your gut. With that being said, the arts should be expected in every school in our community for every child. We should not be in a place where we need to fight to bring the arts back… the arts should be a requirement in every school just like math and reading curriculums. Our children are being pushed and rushed to grow up. This is a crime. We need our learning environments to be smothered with music, painting, drama, and dance.
When our students’ souls are fed, they will be more successful with their academics and the whole child is addressed. The arts give kids an invisible crown & a cape in order to dance through their world. We have lost our way in regards to education.
Are there teachers leading the way in their classrooms and schools to bring creativity to learning? Absolutely. But we need more. Our kids deserve more.
The third annual a.r.t. benefit concert will be held in a few weeks. Please join us to help bring more art to our children. And whether it is when chatting with a friend over coffee or posting it on your facebook or twitter page, please spread the word.
We are thrilled to have the following be a part of this year’s line-up:
The Living Room
I’m Not a Pilot (WAMI nominated)
The Delta Routine (2012 WAMI winner; 88Nine Radio Milwaukee winner)
Sven Pro Sound has so generously offered to provide the sound equipment. More and more sponsors will be shared with you on our facebook page and website.
See you Saturday, May 12 (8:30-1:30pm)!
Dance and love,
Christina M. Ratatori, a.r.t.’s founding director
