Poor timing, Harvey. Poor timing.

[Cina]

I'm not looking to get into a huge debate tonight, but I'll say this. I think the problem is actually deeper than just "recruiting more people for my program". The problem is that this society doesn't value arts in schools as highly as math and science. I am actually in the largest class of future art educators that UNL has ever had go through the program. But society doesn't value art, schools don't value art or art teachers, the university in turn doesn't value art teachers enough to keep the program when push comes to shove. I'm not saying that Perlman doesn't value the arts, I'm saying he had to make cuts where it would effect the least people, and since art ed is a much smaller program (not because we're not "recruiting" but because of the long long string of causal relationships listed above) it made sense for him to cut it. Much like the college of Fine Arts is cutting the Organ endorsement. It doesn't effect as many people.

The fact is, none of the disciplines of endorsements in the College of Education and Human Sciences "bring in revenue" through grants on the scale of the chemistry and engineering colleges. It's not a matter of Art K-12 not pulling it's own weight, it's a matter of cutting spending while making the least amount of ripples in the pond.

I'm not saying we shouldn't cut spending, that's not what I'm saying at all. But as a future art teacher, it is my job to advocate for the arts in our schools. This is just one such instance in which it is imperative to me and my classmates that we make known that someone is advocating for the art ed program. Several someones, in fact. Are there other art education programs out there? Most certainly. But I am a student of the University of Nebraska, and as a student and a prospective art teacher, it's my job to be a voice that speaks up in support of Art Education.

All we are trying to do is be a voice for Art Education in the University. We're trying to make ourselves known and to raise awareness of the importance of Art K-12. Because sometimes you have to advocate for something, sometimes "sucking it up" is cowardice and laziness. I think the chance for the Art K-12 program to be retained is very, very, very small. I think that cuts are ineviteable and I welcome them. However it would be wrong for me to believe so strongly that the arts DO matter in our schools and then to just sit idly by while the University eliminates the program that has been training art teachers.

I'm like the Lorax, kind of.

And I'm going to bed. :rant

 

[gobiggergoredder]

The problem is that this society doesn't value arts in schools as highly as math and science.

This is a likely root cause and I'm sure there are others. If our society does not value it, then it has little worth. I understand this is a harsh statement, but it is true. We can't continue to subsidize things that our society doesn't value. Whether I care for the arts is irrelevant.

As someone who has never played an instrument, I have a surprisingly difficult time when I read that a school/district is cutting a music program.

The point of my rant is that this is yet another 'smoke screen'. We get so caught in the politics that we so easily settle on the easy solution. Blame Perlman, Blame UNL, state legislature, blame whoever may seem convenient. As sorry as it is, this program is being cut for a reason.

Cina...this is just a microcosm of our society. I'm not attempting to call you out. I'm sure it is a difficult situation and I wish you the best of luck.

At some point(maybe) we will decide that we can't keep pumping money into loser programs(entitlement) because it makes people feel good. I'm like all the talking heads out there though....I don't have a solution.

 

[Minnesota_husker]

I thought the same thing. Wanted to e-mail him back and say "Glad i cant get an education in a field i wanted but east stadium is going to be beautiful....THANKS HARV!

But i am graduating, so i dont care now.

 

[T_O_Bull]

Yeah, some of the cuts do seem silly. What does it cost to print out the class schedules, a couple thousand bucks? But I wish our federal gov't would take a cue, and do this. Maybe fire about 20% of the federal gov't "workers", And cut federal spending by 10% to 15%.

Hard to reduce government workers because there are so many of them and they all vote.

T_O_B

 

[Cina]

The problem is that this society doesn't value arts in schools as highly as math and science.

This is a likely root cause and I'm sure there are others. If our society does not value it, then it has little worth. I understand this is a harsh statement, but it is true. We can't continue to subsidize things that our society doesn't value. Whether I care for the arts is irrelevant.

As someone who has never played an instrument, I have a surprisingly difficult time when I read that a school/district is cutting a music program.

The point of my rant is that this is yet another 'smoke screen'. We get so caught in the politics that we so easily settle on the easy solution. Blame Perlman, Blame UNL, state legislature, blame whoever may seem convenient. As sorry as it is, this program is being cut for a reason.

Cina...this is just a microcosm of our society. I'm not attempting to call you out. I'm sure it is a difficult situation and I wish you the best of luck.

At some point(maybe) we will decide that we can't keep pumping money into loser programs(entitlement) because it makes people feel good. I'm like all the talking heads out there though....I don't have a solution.

Thanks for the reply. I think you are right, and as an advocate of the arts it is my job to argue the point that the arts make an important difference in our society. Art teachers are already acting as advocates to school boards across the country who are cutting art from their curricula, and this is just an extension of that fight.

You are in plentiful company believing the arts are cut for a reason, and it is our job to speak out saying that this reason is insufficient, and to make known the benefits of saving it. Is it political? Yes. But it's the kind of lobbying that goes on from day to day and the kind that is stirred up whenever an administrative body is forced to make cuts. The arts are not valued in our society, our argument is that the arts do hold tremendous value for our society and that it is overlooked.

I don't expect agreement on this point, I'm just explaining that we're not complaining instead of taking action. This is the action we are taking-to get the word out there, to increase society's view of the arts in terms of importance.

 

[NUance]

Yeah, some of the cuts do seem silly. What does it cost to print out the class schedules, a couple thousand bucks? But I wish our federal gov't would take a cue, and do this. Maybe fire about 20% of the federal gov't "workers", And cut federal spending by 10% to 15%.

Hard to reduce government workers because there are so many of them and they all vote.

T_O_B

Yeah. It seems like America is circling the drain towards the cistern of communism. Eventually we'll all work for the gov't. I just hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime.