From Nicki Jergensen, owner/instructor, Exploration Art School:
Editor:
I am writing this letter in support of the effort to build a Center for the Arts in Harford County. Recently a letter was written by Sallee Kunkle Filkins, Executive Director of the Center for the Arts entitled “Making the Case for a Performing Arts Center in Harford County” that was published in this newspaper August 23, 2012.
Her thoughtful response was just another example of the up hill battle that those of us in the arts community face when trying to gain support from our local news venues, more specifically the Aegis.
As an art educator and owner of Exploration Art School in Forest Hill for the past seven years, I have also attempted to spread the importance of art education and the successes of my students. I had hoped that their achievements might be recognized and publicized in their local paper. My efforts to contact those at the paper to inform them of a potential story was met with a less than a lukewarm response.
Each year beginning in 2006 one or more students have won First place for an artwork at the Harford County Farm fair. That means every year from 2006 to 2012. In addition to these wonderful accomplishments three students have placed well in the State Fair while two have placed First in the State of Maryland for their artwork created while under my instruction.
These children are citizens of Harford County and should be celebrated and recognized in their paper. I will once again hope to gain recognition for these children by sending a photograph with their artworks and awards in hopes that the Aegis may actually publish it.
But Arts Education is not just about improving a child’s self-esteem in competition it also improves academic achievement, study skills, communication, cognitive skills, social skills and has a lifelong impact on success in the working world.
Here are a few facts:
• SAT scores for students who studied the arts for 4 years were 103 points higher than students with no coursework or experience in the arts. (Arts Education Partnership, 1995).
• 9th grade students in the Chicago Arts Partnership in Education (CAPE) program, which integrates arts education with more traditional academic studies, were reading one full grade level ahead of their peers who were not involved in the program. (Deasy & Catterall)
• 920 elementary school students in 52 classrooms in Boston, Cambridge and Los Angeles who were given visual and performing arts lessons for three years outscored non-program students, earning significantly higher report card grades in the core subject areas of language arts, math, reading and social studies. (“Different Ways of Knowing” Welch)
• “The world’s top academic countries place a high value on art and music education.” (IAEEA)
Find out more at: http://www.artinaction.org/w/WhyArt
This issue does not have to be framed as a competition between Arts and Athletics. There is no reason why a thriving area such as Harford County which has exhibited such population growth over the past twenty years can not sustain both and be able to serve all of its citizens in the best way possible.
I choose to view the similarities between the two instead of the differences. Both promote the ideas of discipline, hard work and dedication. Both activities also boost brain power which affects test scores and success in Academics. As an intercollegiate athlete I have experienced firsthand the benefits that they can provide.
For those tax payers who are still not convinced about the power of the arts you may want to read this month’s issue of Money magazine. The featured article is on the “Top Places to Live”. The Number One place highlighted is Carmel, Indiana. One of the main reasons to reside there is their thriving economy. Five years ago Carmel was a quiet, upscale bedroom community. While some once top-notch areas on the “Best Places to Live” list lagged during the recession, this formerly sleepy suburb – which used to be ranked no. 14 – has transformed itself into the ideal place to live and work.
One of the main reasons is due to their new performing arts center – part of a development with a 1,600 – seat concert hall and a 500 -seat multi use theatre, made possible by about $500 million in private investment and $175 million of city money through new commercial tax funding. “We don’t have the Pacific or mountain views,” says the fifth term mayor. James Brainard, “so we have to work a bit harder on cultural amenities.” Carmel also has excellent schools, a big sports and recreation center, roundabouts to keep traffic flowing, wide bike paths, and an off-street bike path with a direct route to the town center – sound familiar?
The bottom line is the arts are vital to our community. Every citizen young and old could benefit from their involvement with the arts and a Center for the Arts in Harford County would help improve the lives of more than just a “small community of art lovers”.
Please support the Center for the Arts by writing your local government, donating time and money to make the plan a reality.
Mrs. Nicki Jergensen, MEd
Owner, Art Instructor & Consultant
Exploration Art School
Excellent letter and points, Nicki! Harford County can definitely benefit from a permanent base for a home for the arts in this county and add more of a sense of culture to the area.
I’d like to know what other demographics came into play. Income level for those that fan afford instruction will be higher. Parental support for those attending is likely higher. How do things stack up when all other factors are equal?
I’m not saying that arts may not be helpful. I’m just saying these statistics may not paint the entire picture.
Also, that article sounded more like a press release for Nicki’s school rather than a stand for the community center. How about explaining what the center will do rather than list your own accomplishments? The letter was supposed to tell me how I can benefit from the center. I’m sure we can all benefit, but this letter missed the point completely.
All that sounds great but fact is…you can’t make a supportable absolute correlation between kids being exposed to art and that alon being responsible for success in other subjects. Having a comprehensive art program just as easily suggests elevated emphasis on learning in all areas including math, and science and perhaps a better school system, perhaps even private school. Nobody is saying arts aren’t important…go ahead build an arts center. This lady and her buddies can form a committee and try to raise money for it; be my guest just don’t force taxpayers to pay for somebody else’s hobby.
The Center for the Arts would provide over 40 arts organizations (businesses!) the facilities needed for their work. The CFA is also proven to be a financially sustainable project, with strong ties to the Harford business community. I would encourage everyone to read the studies from independent researchers on this subject (all available on the CFA website).
The CFA organization has also been clear that there are many ways to pay for this project, and that taxpayers will not bear the financial burden of such an undertaking.
But, I’d like to ask other readers, when did “tax” become a 4-letter word? I’m happy to pay for services and projects that benefit my community. Being a taxpayer means that you contribute to the society you live in.
I don’t currently attend any of the schools in Harford County; I have not had a house fire in my lifetime; I don’t drive my car on every street. Yet I am proud that my taxpayer dollars to go towards educating young people, supporting our fire departments, and keeping our roads safe. Every economist will tell you the same- the arts are an important part of a big picture of prosperity. There is a clear demand for such a center in Harford- and I would encourage greater research. You don’t have to take my word for it.
What you call a “hobby” is a profession to many who live in Harford County. And, this field has tangible benefits to every business in the area.
If, as you state, taxpayers will not bear the financial burden of this undertaking, then we have no problem. I completely misunderstood the article by Mr. Jergensen. For those of you that see the need and are willing to pay for and sustain this project, I say proceed. If I wish to support it I can pay for a ticket to a show, exhibit, or event. I fully intend, however, to assure that this is privately funded by those of you can afford it.
I don’t have a problem with an arts center, as long as it isn’t paid for with tax dollars. I tried to run a music program through Parks and Rec and there just wasn’t enough interest in the community. The Music Conservatory that was located in a building on John Carroll’s campus couldn’t make it work either. We even had a world famous conductor come in and conduct and teach an advanced youth orchestra. He brought in famous musicians to play along, not famous as in music teachers, famous as in BSO and other professional orchestras. He did this without getting paid to try to get this started and there was just no interest. My daughter played in this orchestra for all the years it was there, but there was just no interest.
Harford Community College has a youth orchestra and some art classes. It just doesn’t seem there is enough interest in Harford County to support anything more. They also have the Amoss Center that was supposed to fill this need, but it isn’t used very often. Many local dance schools have tried to use it, but it isn’t possible. Only the dance program connected to the community college, and professional touring groups, are given the opportunity to use this space. I think we were all duped into what the Amoss Center was going to be used for. We need to be very careful not to let that happen again! Same with the expanded autitorium at Bel Air High School. If you aren’t conneceted to the school system or Parks and Rec, there is not much chance you will get permission to use that space either.
For those mentioning tax dollars, think about where Parks and Rec gets most of their money. Those little fundraisers little Johnny and Suzy do for their team only cover a portion of the cost for the team. Not including all the facilities that have been provided by the county…tennis courts, baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, football fields, restrooms, snack stands,scoreboards, lights, electricity, water/sewer, hiking trails, Emmorton, Churchville & Forest Hill indoor facilities, etc.
All from your tax dollars.
JJ, while I understand your post and you make some good points, you are incorrect on some of your comments. Yes, tax dollars pay for most of the land, state and county taxes, all programs have to be self supporting.
The concession stand would not be open if they didn’t make enough money to support it. The same with all the other programs. Baseball, softball, soccer, every single program has to have an approved budget and bring in enough money to be completely self supporting. If not, that program will not be allowed to exist anymore.
Things like scoreboards, equipment like soccer balls, goals, baseballs, bats, bases, dance teachers, music, etc, all are funded 100% by the program. Generally this is through the registration fee.
As well, each program has to pay a “head tax” on each child in the program. Each local rec council decides on how much they want to set their head tax. Generally between $5 and $10. This goes into the general fund to pay for advertising, paper, printing, newsletters, mailing. It is also used to purchase land. Sometimes a few local councils will get together and purchase land to share.
Some councils have a scholarship fund. Money for this can come from donors and programs that have some extra money they can donate. Programs do not keep a surplus, they do their best to break even so all the money goes to the programs.
I do agree with your basic point, but Rec Councils are much more complicated and aren’t just paid for with tax money. Each program has a volunteer chairperson to run the program, then there are coaches, concession stand workers, a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, etc. All that work is done by volunteers. There are many people who put in countless hours, all volunteer. Just want to set the record straight.
Lets build a factory and make something to sell and forget the feel good stuff.
But the question you should be asking, Will it be allowed to be used by anyone who wants to go to it? As I know that the “Dancing for the Arts” The Mrs.Dell & I have offered to compete but I guess they don’t like “Farmers” as we could get a bunch of sponsors to help support the “Farmer In The Dell” but guess not good enough, Mrs. Dell has offered on many occasions for fund-raiser” But guess”Farmer ” isn’t good enough but that is OK she just helped raise 45grand for another area” They Lover Farmers”
Like with sports, I think the boundaries between recreation, education, and entertainment are sometimes blurred. If this center were to have educational programs for children, then I wouldn’t see a problem with the Board of Education working out a deal to make use of the facility. Otherwise, the recreational and commercial operations should be able to stand on their own financially.
Great – you pay for it privately, and run it privately with zero tax dollars and most of will certainly agree with your POV. Otherwise, stop the ridiculous, unsolicited, unfunded expansion of what falls under our County Gov. umbrella!!!