(A) State of the Art(s)

I almost never talk politics on here, but this is something that people of any political persuasion can (and should) support. I was reminded yesterday, while attending the middle school all-city concert in my district, that TMEA is sponsoring something called GoArts.org, which has drafted an online petition to the Texas Legislature urging it to fully support arts education when it crafts the education budget during this new session. The petition reads as follows:

To members of the Texas legislature:

Many fine arts programs are being cut back or eliminated in school districts across Texas due to lack of adequate state funding. As a registered voter, I implore you, as you work to resolve the school finance issue, to provide dollars to both restore and fund fine arts programs in our schools throughout the state. We also encourage you to provide full funding for Proclamation 2002, which includes new fine arts textbooks and materials.

If you're a registered voter in the state of Texas and support this initiative, click the GoArts link above and sign the online petition; it takes only a minute or two.

I don't just say this because I am a music educator, but also because I feel that fine arts is an extremely important part of a well-rounded education and teaches many skills that aren't emphasized in a traditional lecture-based classroom experience. We've been lucky so far in Texas to avoid some of the severe effects of the budget axe like some school systems have in the Northeast, but many people are quick to aim that axe at what they consider non-essential programs, and the arts are often erroneously grouped into that category. Let your voice be heard, so that the legislators are reminded again and again that the arts are basic to a good education.