(This is a re-posting of an article which appeared on this blog in February, 2013)
Dancer/Choreographer Twyla Tharp famously remarked that, “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.”
For one University City High School student, however, art is a ticket to the west coast and beyond. UCHS junior Marina Claunch recently learned that she has been accepted into the prestigiousPreCollege program at the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). There she will join students from around the world for a five-week summer program in which she will take classes at the Art Institute, work with practicing artists, explore new media, visit Bay Area museums and galleries, take part in an exhibition, and develop a portfolio.
To be considered for the program, Marina had to submit photographs of her work, a recommendation from a teacher, and an artist’s statement detailing her primary interests in making art.
The work she submitted with her application was selected from pieces she completed in art classes at UCHS, and she credits the guidance she has received from her teachers there with greatly enhancing her painting skills. After high school Marina plans to attend SFAI to study fine arts, and hopes to one day return to University City as part of the Returning Artists Program.
University City High School has a long and storied tradition of excellence in the arts. In an era in which funding for arts education is in decline, University City Schools have bucked the tide and continue to offer a wide range of courses in both fine and practical arts.
The 2013 – 2014 UCHS Course Guide lists 24 different classes under Fine Arts. This means that any student with an interest in studio art, ceramics, ballet, jazz band, printmaking, graphic arts, choir, modern dance, theatre arts, concert band, sculpture and more will have ample opportunities to pursue those interests at UCHS.
Providing young people with arts education has been linked to a great number of positive outcomes. At the most basic level, exposing kids to the arts increases the likelihood that they will continue to be involved in the arts as adults, thereby ensuring that our society will continue to benefit from the cultural richness that only the arts can provide. Research also connects childhood art education with a vast array of academic and social benefits. Children who participate in the arts are likely to have improved reading, language, math, thinking, and social skills. Participation in the arts motivates kids to learn and helps keep at risk and special needs kids in school. Strong art programs contribute to a positive school environment by fostering teacher and student innovation and increasing student attendance. (For a highly readable and comprehensive overview of how the arts benefit student achievement see The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies’ publication Critical Evidence ).
From musicians like Jeremy Davenport and Peter Martin to visual artists such as Marlon West and Saaba Buddenhagen Lutzeler to countless accomplished dancers, singers, journalists, actors, writers, and performers, our community has so much to be proud of and so much to show for our historical commitment to arts education. With her drive and determination (and of course, talent) Marina is sure to one day take her place in the pantheon of great UCity artists, and with the support of our community and our administrators we will continue to celebrate the achievements of our UCHS art students for decades to come.
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