Art, virtue, and raising a family in the arts: some thoughts
(This is our work desk, where Mark, Lucy and I enjoy countless hours of being creative together.)
As an education major in college, I'm no stranger to the horror stories of schools losing their finding for arts programs, music programs, anything creative in general... And they are horrible stories. It is more than a shame that so many adults in the world judge these areas as unimportant. Perhaps it is because the artists are out creating art and the money managers and politicians in the world don't value arts as highly as they value math, debate club, etc. I suppose there is a small possibility that children don't show enough enthusiasm for the arts to convince the managers and politicians otherwise.
So I'm just going to interject here: The arts are crucial to a human's development--as a human. Yes, math is extremely important to our success in life. Geography is essential to understanding one's place in the world (literally and metaphorically speaking). A firm grasp on spelling and grammar is going to be incredibly helpful. (Trust me, I would never belittle grammar. ;)
However... seeking mastery in an art may be the best opportunity for developing virtue you will ever find. I suppose the word "virtue" can sound boring or didactic to some of you--but isn't it the simplest way to define those things which make us good humans? I guess we're all tired of hearing "patience is a virtue"...but it is. It is an active virtue: you have to work at it, rather then let it happen.
You writers and other artists will immediately be able to see the truth in that statement. From the writing point of view, to succeed in writing a book, you need to first learn patience with yourself. You will not be perfect immediately. Acknowledging your own imperfections is, I believe, the first step to becoming a successful artist--along with simultaneously recognizing your gifts. Then, you work. And work. And work. And work. You learn empathy as you delve into your character's life. Then you once again take a step back into humility and allow others to critique your work. Then you revisit patience as you submit to agents and editors.
That's the condensed version. But it is easy to see that the virtues you gain in becoming a good artist are the same virtues you need to grow into a good human being.
And people say the arts aren't important in kids' lives.
Ahem.
(Here's where my mom would say, "Gag me with a spoon!")
When it comes down to it, I think the arts should be emphasized to children even more than to adults, for a very important reason: children have a huge advantage over us when it comes to learning, even greater than how quickly their brains can take things in. They aren't afraid to do so. If you are conscious of raising your children in the arts, they can learn that you will always support them in their endeavors. If you are careful to recognize each small success and be realistic about failures (because believe me, they can tell when they've failed) and still be encouraging, they will trust you and feel affirmed as they "play" with drawing, painting, writing, acting, singing, etc.
("Play" is a key word, because it is important that kids have fun with, well, everything, or they'll probably give up on it. They need opportunities to develop a passion.)
To bring this back to my original topic, while I think anyone who tries to remove arts programs from schools should be slapped, I think the problem is deeper and more basic than that. Parents need to be committed to introducing art into their children's lives.
And the easiest way to do that? Commit yourselves to art. Set an example to your children, let them see your struggles and enjoyments. Draw with them, write with them, sing with them. Ask them questions about the creative choices they make, and talk to them about your own creative process.
Who knows? In a few years, they may be the Shakespeares and Vermeers and Bernhardts of the world...or they may be the money managers and politicians--but if they are artists as well, imagine what they could accomplish.
I can't think of a better gift you can give your children--or the world.
The arts are so important. I agree, and I'm also saddened when funding for programs disappears. (BTW, I'm not teaching now but my background is also in elementary education.) And patience: we writers just need it.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I just want to toss in that I think everyone is an artist in some way. And I think it's the adults who are disconnected from their creativity who undervalue it in education and childhood. I think adults should give themselves the same freedom we once had as children to throw paint on a paper, act out a story, or invent a song. I think that more people would be in touch with their inner truth and life's potential if they were regularly allowing the artist within to express him/herself. Can you tell I feel strongly about this? Thanks for posting something so heartfelt and important, Faith. As always, it's a pleasure to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Faith! As parents, it's important that we do what we can to encourage their interest in the arts at home. They're born interested, but they can lose that, if they decide it's too hard or someone makes fun of them.
ReplyDeleteTrue story! I pretty much adore this post. Recently, I read about an organization reaching out to orphans in Africa. The part that thrilled me the most was their dedication to incorporating music, dance, and drama back into the schools. Art is so vital!
ReplyDeleteFor me, art is sort of like breathing - it has to be part of my life. The good news is there are so many ways to indulge your artistic side - gardening, painting, cooking (though that one is more WORK for me) writing, music etc. My daughter and I love to artsy things together - whether it's a sewing project, painting or scrapbooking. Our big project is to write a book together this summer!!!! And the best part is - you don't have to be good at any of it - it's just the process of creating that rejuvenates your soul!
ReplyDeleteDawn, that's cool that your background is in education. I think it's one of those backgrounds that, when combined with a creative nature, easily lends itself to writing. And, yes, patience for writers is probably as much a necessity as a virtue!
ReplyDeleteMolly--you are so right about adults being given the freedom to express their inner artist. But isn't that so hard sometimes? It's amazing how our culture (and perhaps nature) instills this fear of playing around with creativity once we reach a certain age. I do think, though, that encouraging our adult friends to be artistic is highly, highly underrated.
Myrna, thanks for stopping by. Oh, I get so mad when someone makes fun of a child for being creative! (Even when it's a sibling, I get pretty edgy about it.) Like I said, I think honesty is really important--but kids need to be affirmed for being brave enough to try things that they might fail at--and they need to be told that no one does things perfectly without a lot of work and practice.
Samantha, that organization sounds so cool! I'm going to have to find out more about that--do you know the name?
Kiki, wow, your daughter must be quite a special person. :) You are going to have so much fun writing together, I bet.
I agree, I love cooking and gardening as creative outlets, too--but the former would be a lot more fun if I had gourmet ingredients pouring out of my cupboards every day...like in those cooking shows--isn't it amazing how they always have everything they could possibly want?
Thanks for stopping by!
Well said, Faith. I wish more people understood that! My boss once said, "Our minds must be tied to, united with, the affective side of our nature [our emotions, passions, appetites] if we are to love as we are commanded. And to come to love the good, true, and beautiful our experience of them must be more than just an intellectual experience. Certainly, our minds must order and govern our emotions, passions, and appetites. But that doesn't mean it ought to suppress them or ignore them. We want them ordered but also very much alive that they may move us to pursue the good... Information is easy to come by. Understanding and wisdom are not... To separate the mind and heart is to cleave a man in two and you then have have two things, neither of which is a man." I believe that art - experiencing it, appreciating it, pursuing it - is an important part of developing that affective side of our nature and therefore, developing ourselves as whole persons......
ReplyDeleteOur time in San Antonio, with few books, toys, etc., brought along, meant that my kids had to find other creative outlets -- that weren't TOO messy or expensive, but enjoyable nonetheless. So they began to explore watercolors... and spent hours every day painting... and painting... and painting! Timmy taught himself how to make recognizable flowers, vases, trees, etc., and Therese explored using color in bold and exciting new ways. :) She even threw in a few palm trees for effect when she decided to paint something corporeal. ;) Then, they started watching watercolor painters on TV and tried to learn technique. Timmy just told me yesterday that he would really, really like to take "painter's lessons" for his birthday... which is, of course, months away... but I think it would be a great thing to continue over the summer anyway. Do you know any good resources that would help him?