Mailbag: It’s time to put the arts front and center
The art gallery on the Newport Beach campus of Coastline Community College provided a stunning backdrop for the Jan. 14 semi-annual meeting of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Arts Commission.
More than 50 people attended, including three representatives from the school board; elementary and secondary principals, teachers and parents; two service clubs; staff from the city of Costa Mesa and the Newport Beach Arts Commission; Vanguard University, Orange Coast College, Coastline and nearly a dozen art groups/partners.
The morning session included shining examples of Newport-Mesa collaborations: Pacific Chorale and two elementary schools, the Contempo Ballet and OCC, Vanguard University and the D’Angelis Vocal Ensemble.
The Newport-Mesa Visual and Performing Arts Strategic Plan highlighted the outstanding facilities of Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa high schools.
The afternoon started with a moving performance by the Corona del Mar Madrigals. Afterward, breakout sessions, brainstorming and collaboration-building activities rounded out the day.
The bad news is that two 10-year concurrent studies by the National Endowment for the Arts reveal a sharp decline in overall attendance at arts events. Factors include people having too much else to do, the events are too expensive and the arts are not supported through school experiences. The long-term effects to future generations seem dishearteningly grim.
Newport-Mesa has trained professionals, motivated educators and a network worth its weight in gold, but it sorely lacks a larger voice. Voice comes in many forms. First and foremost what is needed is an ongoing conversation on the importance of the arts.
The priority of arts can be shown in several ways. Constant and direct mention of concerts, shows and exhibitions must be featured on the district’s main web page and on any regular communications with parents and the community.
In our local paper, sports receives 1 1/2 two pages of coverage daily. Providing consistent, weekly content to the media like the Daily Pilot may help create an atmosphere of community arts excellence and drive attendance to district arts activities. The benefits in good will may be extraordinary.
An effective arts scheme involves each district zone and goes far beyond after-school enrichment programs. I would suggest adding an elementary and secondary teacher on special assignment to work with the teachers in the classroom.
Arts visibility creates opportunity. The arts amplify the quality of the district and our communities.
Charlene M. Ashendorf
Costa Mesa