Arts and Education

Recently in a discussion on the education system in this country, I claimed that I was not proud to be a citizen of the United States if we continue to disrespect the value teachers provide. This article in the New York Times points out some disturbing trends; I am a firm believer that higher pay would encourage better qualified people to pursue teaching as a career path. My friend replied that despite the embarrassment of our unwillingness to fund our teachers and education system, she was proud to be able to speak her mind, march in protest, and engage with our elected officials, thus proud to be of this country. I entirely agree that these are venerable traits of this nation but it is no longer enough.

The United States became a great nation by exceeding standards. Our use of democracy and technology have encouraged the people of other nations to seek independence and advancement as well. To stake our pride on these issues is to take pride in the past, at the sake of the future. We should be paving the way for education in the 21st century if we want to maintain the status that made this country great. It is not just Apple, Google, and the Constitution but also our ability to reflect and respond to these products, services and notions that will continue to make us flourish.

One of the more interesting qualities of following an artist's work, or reading about a historical artistic figure, is watching their work develop. This occurs because they continue to educate themselves in technique, style, as well as personal and political issues of interest. Their work reflects this constant growth. Some periods that are seen as awkward nevertheless reveal the transition in the artist's imagination; the MoMA Matisse show Radical Invention 1913-1917, focused on just this aspect of his work. We value the artist's striving for something new. Even commission artists, who are expected to be able to consistently produce similar quality portraits, look to improve their manner...or, if that is simply the way they make money, they use it as a space in which to practice what they will push to the edge in their personal work.

No one is interested in an artist who does the same thing year after year, or flaunts the same picture season after season. In a strange analogy, I will argue here that we can no longer accept that the United States prides itself on its democratic freedoms or its capitalist technologies. In education, in the sciences, in the arts, we must all continue to look forward and ask what we can do next. Not because what is next will be more risqué or outré, but because if we continue to proceed without recognizing the need for change we will become passé, both as citizens and artists.