According to 2013 estimates by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, California will be in 47th place in the nation when it comes to arts funding per capita, estimated to be budgeted at only 11 cents per student.[1] Given the current economic state, lack of funding for arts education in the state of California and the nation at large has caused many existing public school arts programs to be cut entirely.[2]
The NASAA has argued that students engaged in the arts perform better academically, that the arts help at-risk youth, and that the arts help students succeed in life as well as in school.[3] BruinLIGHTS believes the benefits resulting from the arts in education are too vital to be eliminated from our education system. The arts play a pivotal role in the development of children, particularly in fostering creativity, communication and problem-solving skills, and social and emotional awareness. In 2007, SRI International published the results of their first (and apparently only, thus far) comprehensive state-wide study on the status of arts education in California and found that “89% of California K-12 schools fail to offer a standards-based course of study in all four disciplines—music, visual arts, theatre, and dance—and thus fall short of state goals for arts education.”[4] BruinLIGHTS strives to fulfill this need by working with low-income schools to expose students to different facets of the performing arts. This comprehensive exploration of the arts provides an outlet for creative and positive expression, a broader understanding and appreciation of culture, an atmosphere of community and support, and the motivation to succeed in the students’ future goals. We work towards the aim of inspiring the students to pursue their interests and talents, with the hope that they will develop the self-confidence necessary to pursue higher education and other opportunities.
Schools We Work With Phoenix High School As a continuation school, Phoenix High’s students (ages 16-18) share a common history of an unsuccessful high school experience. As a result, they come to Phoenix in order to complete the necessary points requirement for graduation. Because these points are their main motivators, the idea of hands-on participation is often not stressed enough. Within BruinLIGHTS, we offer an interactive performing arts elective that gives them the option of fulfilling the California high school graduation course requirement of one year's instruction in the arts.
Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy is a 6th through 8th grade middle school in South Los Angeles. Despite its recent establishment, the school is unable to provide arts education due to a limited budget. BruinLIGHTS fills this void by providing performing arts instruction to students through an after school program. The structure of our weekly program allows our members to form lasting, impactful relationships with the students and witness their personal growth and transformation over the duration of the program. This year, BruinLIGHTS will be working with the Special Education Department as well.
[1] “State Arts Agency Legislative Appropriations Preview, Fiscal Year 2013.” National Assembly of State Art Agencies. n.p., 29 June 2012. Web. 4 August 2012. www.nasaa-arts.org. [2] “Los Angeles schools budget woes hit arts programs hard.” Los Angeles Times. n.p., 13 June 2011. Web. 4 August 2012. articles.latimes.com. [3] “WHY SHOULD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT THE ARTS?” National Assembly of State Art Agencies. n.p., 2010. Web. 4 August 2012. www.nasaa-arts.org [4] “First Comprehensive Study of K-12 Arts Education in California Schools Finds Vast Majority Fail to Meet State Standards.” SRI International. n.p., 1 March 2007. Web. 4 August 2012. www. sri.com.