To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Date: Fri, 7 Jul 2006 14:24:05 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Slightly Off-Topic: Arts in schools



Matthieu, you got it in a nutshell! Even Art is ruled by standards. They
have to teach how to draw in steps.My daughter has done plenty of 3D Box
projects in HS Art but never any real sculpture or, my goodness, make a
puppet! Puppetry is something preks do....in most schools. We just don't
have time. 

It really is sad.

Mary

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
-Walter Bagehot

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the
choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape
ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make
are ultimately our own responsibility."-----Eleanor Roosevelt

"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are
dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do
it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many
tomorrows.

-Michael Landon

www.gentleteaching.com

We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
 
--Oprah Winfrey
 




> [Original Message]
> From: Mathieu René <creaturiste-AT-magma.ca>
> To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
> Date: 7/7/2006 1:21:19 AM
> Subject: [Puptcrit] Slightly Off-Topic: Arts in schools
>
> >Ah the good old days.
> >I even got paid to teacher teacher how to use media in their classrooms.
> >Now there is hardly an art program at all in Milwaukee.
> >MJM
>
>
>
> I know, it's the same almost everywhere, it seems.
> Who's fault?
> Almost everybody's!
>
> I was a victim of mediocre art programs all my student life.
> That's why I really only started learning art making after my studies
were 
> over (I quit after two years of BAD inadequate university content.)
>
> Now, I give art classes in school whenever I can, to try to help some of
the 
> kids who are craving better art methods, some not even knowing they do!
> I sure wished UI had some as a kid, but never was granted.
>
>
> Here's what I think, without field studies, so I might be wrong...
>
> -Most Parents don't fight for what their kids learn in schools -- too
busy 
> is their main excuse.
> They choose a "regular school", and hope for the best. They can complain, 
> but they rarely change a thing.
>
> -Most students don't do enough homework when researching what school to 
> attend, and the info provided is rarely enough, and always biased.
Teaching 
> is a business nowadays.
>
> -Funding is not distributed fairly at all in schools. The money goes to 
the 
> fields that are known to eventually bring a money career (law, sciences, 
> medecine), then for the sports (glamorous jobs that bring fame and money 
> sometimes), and then for music (again, a concert pianist or a singer can 
> earn big bucks), and if anything remains, they consider investing on the 
> school property. Then after all that,  if anything at all remains
(crumbs) 
> they can go to the Visual Arts, if people shout loud enough: Hey, we're
here 
> too!!! In the basement!!!!
>
> Artists are admired and often envied for their skills, but rarely do
people 
> realise that we work hard to earn them. In fact, I'll go further by
daring 
> to say we often work harder than the higest paid people, and yet we are
the 
> least remunerated.
>
> GO figure.
> It's up to us, some say, to start demanding higher prices, to start 
> promoting our work better.
> I agree.  We hear more about sports events and hit movies (which have
been 
> the same for over a century, no real invention since) than we ever do
about 
> theatre.
> I just learned three weeks ago that there had been a Musical on Boradway
of 
> a boook I enjoyed.
> Even broadway needs more advertising (unless they truly always play full 
> house, which I doubt).
>
>  But the world also needs to realise we are needed. Without us, the world 
> would be in shades of gray, unimaginative, very drab. Inventors would 
> eventually stop inventing. People need to dream, to be inspired, to be 
> challenged! We're here for that. But are people here for us enough?
> I don't hink so.
> Want proof?
> Just get a camera crew and  ask 10 strangers on the street to name 10 
> essential professions, no matter what category. Take notes.
> Odds are the Arts (visual or musical) won't be represented much.
> I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am, sadly.
> Perhaps someone should make a study of it. I'm too busy trying to survive
by 
> making my art.
>
> Another reason why we can't seem to get hat success we deserve: how can
we 
> improve our product and improve our visibility if we can barely make end 
> meet with our current resources?
>
>
> Sometimes I think I better start being "commercial" and create sure-fire 
> funny shows for the popular masses, hoping to get enough initial
following 
> to "earn" the freedom to create what we really want, eventually.
>
>
> Am i dark or what tonight?
> What was in that otherwise delicious lemonade?
> Can bad lemons have a "depressing fungus" in them?
>
>
>
>
> Mathieu René Créaturiste
> Marionnettes, Masques, Etcetera...
> Puppets, Masks, Etcetera...
> www.creaturiste.com
> creaturiste-AT-magma.ca
> (514) 274-8027
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "mjm" <mmoynihan-AT-wi.rr.com>
> To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 12:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] La Linea!
>
>
> > On Jul 6, 2006, at 8:01 AM, Mary Horsley wrote:
> >> Matthieu,
> >> That was so funny! It reminded me also of this guy on PBS who used to
> >> tell
> >> stories through chalk drawings.
> >>
> >
> > Reminded me of my high school students work back in the 1970's.
> > I started the first film making curriculum in Milwaukee Public Schools.
> > Those were the days. There were 6 art teachers in my school alone. A
> > semester of art was mandatory for graduation. We started animation by
> > drawing directly on blank 16mm stock, then on old exposed stock that we
> > got for free from the athletics folks and the tv stations. Then we
> > moved to the old Super-8 Cameras that allowed single frame. Group
> > green-board animation was done in class. We had a very enlightened art
> > office in the district and when the very first Sony half inch portable
> > systems came our, we got two. Kids could check out equipment overnight
> > and weekends, and nothing EVER got stolen!
> >
> > Ah the good old days.
> > I even got paid to teacher teacher how to use media in their classrooms.
> > Now there is hardly an art program at all in Milwaukee.
> >
> > m
> >
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