"The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep." ~Paul Strand
FACTS
93% of people believe that the arts are vital to a well-rounded education.
Regardless, only 29% of schools have been able to maintain time and funding for arts programs.
Children spend more time at their locker than in art classes.
People learn to be more tolerant and open when creating or appreciating art.
Art promotes individuality, bolsters self-confidence, and improves overall academic performance.
Art is a reflection of people and cultures since the beginning of time.
Students who take 4 years of arts and music in high school score over 98 points higher on their SATs than students who took only a half year or less.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
Create an original piece of art today. If you don’t know how or where to start, visit your local craft store and ask for help.
Sign up for an art class with a friend.
Visit a local
museum, art gallery, or sculpture garden.
Find
resources for teachers.
Volunteer to support an art activity at a local school or senior citizen program.
Communicate with your school-district administrators or national legislators by either writing a letter of appreciation for current funding or requesting funding for the arts.
Find and contact your federal, state, and local officials.
YOU MATTER
Sit down with friends and family and take some time to be a kid again. With minimal supplies, you can create a unique piece of art and give it to someone as a gift. If creating art is not your thing, then support the people who do love it by visiting a museum, donating art supplies, buying art from a local artist, or writing a letter to the people who control the school budgets. Just as there are many ways you can express art, there are also many ways you can support and appreciate it.
LINKS:
Museums USA.org
Keep Arts In Schools.org
Congress.org
New Grant Program Funds Helps Schools Fund Arts
"When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college - that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared at me, incredulous, and said, "You mean they forget?" ~Howard Ikemoto
What is the
Every Monday Matters program?
Monday used to be the least favorite day of the week, but that is changing.
EMM is based on the idea that
Every Monday people can make a difference in their life and the lives of those around them. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world. Together, each person can make a difference in the world and raise the collective consciousness, thereby creating a legacy worth participating in…one Monday at a time.
For more information about the EMM movement visit:
http://www.everymondaymatters.com/
