The New York Times ran a story about Betty Smith’s 1943 autobiographical novel, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," which details her impoverished childhood and the “great golden glory lasting a half-hour each week when Mr. Morton came to Francie’s room to teach music.” The book describes how he taught them classical music and … Little boys whistled a passage from Dvořák’s New World Symphony as they played marbles. When asked the name of the song, they’d reply, “Oh, 'Going Home.'” The novel describes them playing potsy and humming "The Soldiers’ Chorus" from Faust, which they called "Glory." The drawing teacher is also described alongside the music teacher as a highlight: “…these two visiting teachers were the gold and silver sun-splash in the great muddy river of school days.”
The arts can serve as a motivator, a bright spot, a focal point, and yes, even an enrichment. The arts can also connect the future to the past and spark creativity across all subjects. University of Winchester Psychology Professor Paul T. Sowden reports that, in Britain as in the United States, arts and humanities subjects have suffered in recent years as the emphasis has shifted toward science and technology. Professor Sowden emphasizes that an arts education should be equally available to everyone, regardless of economic status. When first elected to office in 2014, I pledged to promote the arts for all schools throughout San Luis Obispo County as part of a balanced education. As I prepare to retire in January, I am happy to report that many local arts organizations, from Shandon to Nipomo, have accepted my invitation to partner with our schools, providing students with art experiences alongside professional artists in professional settings.
Arts education helps young children develop collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills. In the middle and upper grades, executive function skills develop further, and attention spans increase. The arts can refine, polish, and strengthen executive function skills in novel and creative ways. Many arts programs are taught in an exploratory way that fosters tremendous creative potential. These programs are strengthened when opportunities for students, youth, and adults of all ages are promoted across multiple venues throughout our community. The Encore Center in Paso Robles is one such location that promotes arts exploration for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Participation in the arts at the Encore Center in Paso Robles has continued to grow this summer, featuring jazz, classical, dance, and stage opportunities for our youth via our arts collaborative.
The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education Arts Collaborative promotes students working alongside professional artists in professional settings. Local arts partnerships include Opera San Luis Obispo, The San Luis Obispo Symphony, Wine Country Theatre, Central Coast Gilbert and Sullivan, Applause Children's Theatre, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, the Moca Foundation, and other organizations and artists throughout the county. If you are a local artist interested in assisting my office with outreach activities, please contact Talia Phillips Ortega, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, at tphillips-ortega@slocoe.org. I consider it an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools and to promote the arts.
“I am happy to be alive as long as I can paint.” — Frida Kahlo
