by Barbara Courtney and Carolyn Wayland

This month we celebrate Arts Education in our community and we have a lot to celebrate. This is an arts rich community, with a plethora of artists, passionate arts advocates and several strong programs which provide arts education for our youth. Research demonstrates that participation in the arts (music, theatre, visual arts and dance) has multiple positive effects in addition to the joy and satisfaction that are brought about by arts experiences. Young people who consistently participate in comprehensive, sequential and rigorous arts programs are more likely to be recognized for excellent academic achievement and school attendance. We have learned that effective arts programs reduce risky behaviors in youth and build self-discipline, communication and collaboration skills. We also know that creative and critical thinking skills, gained through arts instruction, prepare students for a changing, challenging work environment.

So what may we celebrate here on Orcas? This community has some quality K-12 arts education in our classrooms. Examples are the weekly Strings Technique instruction for music students, provided by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, and Pamela Wright’s weekly Morning Strings violin classes offered through the Orcas Rec Program. Nationwide, dance and theatre instruction are much less frequently supported than music in public schools, yet these core arts subjects offer equally valuable educational benefits. The Orcas Arts Education Project (a partnership between our public school district, education foundation and cultural center) provides weekly instruction in dance and theatre in grades K-6 as well as a theatre elective class and two-week dance intensives for middle school students. Orcas Center’s season offerings also include student matinees and assemblies with visiting artists such as the Dallas Brass, who performed in March. School-based visual arts instruction is reinforced by Open Arts, which provides residencies in the schools, and the Arts Education Project, which supported a new elementary visual arts curriculum this year.

May is Arts Education Month, as proclaimed by Governor Christine Gregoire and the San Juan County Council, and the boards of the Music Advocacy Group, Orcas Center, the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, the Orcas Island Community Foundation, the Orcas Island Education Foundation, Orcas Open Arts and the Orcas Island Public School District and our PTSA. These and other organizations which comprise the Orcas Arts Education Consortium* share the Vision for Arts Education on Orcas Island:

The community of Orcas Island believes that arts education is a critical component of the basic education of our children. The young people of Orcas Island are enriched by exposure to and participation in the diversity of dance, music, theatre and the visual arts.

Please celebrate Arts Education Month by attending one or more of the events this month that showcase student performing and visual art.

Contributed by Barbara Courtney and Carolyn Wayland

Barbara Courtney is Executive/Artistic Director of Orcas Center. Carolyn Wayland is Assessment Specialist for the Orcas Arts Education Project.

*The Orcas Arts Education Consortium is comprised of representative from The Funhouse, The Madrona Club, Music Advocacy Group, Orcas Center, Orcas Christian School, Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Island Education Foundation, Orcas Island Historical Society, Orcas Lions Club, Orcas Oddfellows, Orcas Open Arts, Orcas Island Public School District and the Parent-Teacher-Students Association, Orcas Recreation Program and Salmonberry School.