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For Immediate Release: Monday, November 8th, 2004 Contact: Contact: Jordan Isenstadt (c) 516.991.3842 (w) 212.490.9535 (f) 212.490.2151 State
Senator Liz Krueger Highlights Importance
of Arts Education Joins Staff, Students and Alumni of High School of Arts & Design in Protesting Recent Arts Education Cuts
New York, NY – State
Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan)
today praised the Alumni Association of the High School of Art & Design
for “taking a principled stand” against recent budget cuts that have adversely
affected arts education. The alumni
have specifically called upon the City of New York and the Department of
Education to strengthen their commitment to providing a comprehensive arts
curriculum to the students of the High School for Art & Design.
“The vitality of the arts community is inseparable from the health of the city – economically, educationally and culturally,” remarked Senator Krueger. “We are presently being forced to cope with enormous monetary pressures that have already greatly impacted the mission of arts education organizations and institutions. I am pleased to see the High School of Art & Design alumni standing united in support of the future of arts education. The simple fact is that we must make it a priority to protect the artistic and cultural integrity of New York City.”
For the last thirty years, arts education has been in a constant state of flux in New York City. During the fiscal crisis of the 1970’s, funding for education was completely slashed. Over the next twenty years, independent cultural organizations recognizing the need for artistic exposure were the sole means for arts education for New York City public schoolchildren. In recent years, the Department of Education commissioned the creation of an arts education curriculum, but that curriculum will not be a reality until at least Fall 2005.
“I am concerned that recent history suggests that there may be a lack of commitment to providing the adequate funding to back up the very impressive goals of this curriculum,” said Senator Krueger.
According to participants who took part in a series of Arts Roundtables that were hosted by Senator Krueger, a quality arts education would be comprehensive (including instruction in music, dance, theater, visual arts and integrated with other academic subjects), inclusive (reaches all students regardless of artistic talent), valued by all members of the school community (including parents), staffed by well-prepared arts educators, and taught via curricular programs, as well as partnerships with cultural and artistic institutions.
“We must ensure that all children receive instruction in the arts, not just those children who have demonstrated artistic talent,” stated Senator Krueger. “A quality arts education includes both school instruction and off-site enrichment, including visiting museums, attending plays, and seeing dance and music performances.”
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