Creative Minds

Yesterday I attended the Abu Unity Festival in Newport News, VA. This is a free annual community event which promotes peace and unity  and leadership through the use of performing arts.  The setting was beautifully positioned in a local public park surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay. This year's theme was Celebrating Fatherhood and it was a delight witnessing families, including fathers, in the park for fun and fellowship.

As I observed to the young artist sing, rap, dance and model, I pondered over what impact the arts may play in their lives and in youth around the world.  It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves; at least for that moment in time they were free to express themselves. This positive energy  was transmitted through the intergenerational crowd as we sang, waived our hands and danced together. On the stage, each youth was a leader,  a spark of hope, a catalyst for change.

Every year the National Arts and Humanities Youth Awards recognizes 12 outstanding out-of -school  arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's youth. Click this link to see the top 50 finalist  and identify if there is an outstanding program in your community. The final 12 awardees will receive a trip to the White House and a $10,000 grant presented by First Lady Michelle Obama.    Applications  for 2014 awards will be available in February 2014.  

There is debate as to whether children in the arts do better in school.  In 2004 the Dana Foundation conducted a $2.1 million dollar project to answer the question: "Are smart people drawn to the arts or does arts training make people smarter?"  The study concluded that the arts can train a child's attention which in turn improves their ability to learn, but there was no conclusive evidence that the arts makes you smarter.    Some experts don't believe we should make these analogies at all because no one asks  the reverse question: if taking math will make you do better in music.   Jessica Hoffman Davis, a cognitive developmental psychologist and founder of the Arts in Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, wrote "We have been so driven to measure the impact of the arts in education that we began to forget that their strength lies beyond the measurable."  Case in point, Entrepreneur and rapper Jay-Z is clearly smart, however he did not graduate from high school. So which came first the chicken or the egg?

Putting research aside, it is evident that the arts provide a temporary outlet for youth to express themselves when under typical situations they might find it difficult; due to being shy or a lack of self esteem.  Additionally, the arts provide a venue to communicate and articulate one's feelings, set task and goals to completion and improve attitudes. It does enough.  All of these skill sets are neccessary for our youth to matriculate through collee, apply for jobs and ultimately be successful in life.  So if your child escapes through some form of the arts, encourage them and all their creativity to flourish.

Stay Connected!

Dr. Dee Carter