Unfortunately, our society is product-driven and our schools have become test-driven. Many art programs have been cut simply to allow more time to prepare for standardized tests. Volunteering is wonderful and a great way to provide children the opportunity to create in the arts. However, school boards need to recognize that the arts are essential to learning. Studies have shown when the arts are cut, test scores go down. School boards need to acknowledge that fact and make the arts an important part of the core curriculum - not an elective or "special" class.

Exactly! I live in Michigan and the art budget here is a joke. They recently changed the curriculum so that art and business classes are electives that can only be taken once the "core" credits have been completed. This means that no student can enroll in these classes until they are in their junior year. I am launching a personal crusade this fall. I am putting together a lecture series on the business aspects of being an artist. The teachers at my alma mater are thrilled with the idea. If things go well there I will branch out to include the other high schools in our city. I am doing this for free with the hope that the students will view art as a real career option and make the most of the resources they do have available. With any luck the idea will snowball and other artists will climb on board and volunteer their time.

Sara