Funding for arts classes in public schools has been decreasing and many schools are cutting their class time to focus more on math and science classes.
Many states have cut their arts programs for public schools to pay off their debts, such as Colorado, which cut its arts funding 80 percent in 2004, according to collegeart.org.
Even with the need to cut debts, Tori Olp, a sophomore in arts application said she feels arts classes are necessary because of her own experiences and how they have affected her future.
“I think [funding for art programs] is necessary because when I was growing up, that was the best part about school,” Olp said. “It’s a necessary break when students are only doing academic classes.”
Jonathan Stephens, a freshman in graphic design, said art programs are important “because it’s a scientific fact that playing a musical instrument broadens a person’s mind.”
“We should spend a lot more money on arts and different programs,” Stephens said. “It allows peoples minds to grasp things more creatively.”
Stephens also said art classes helped him to find new interests.
“I was a science kid, but I changed my interest… because I liked learning something besides science or math and learning something more prevalent to life,” Stephens said.
Caitlin Atteberry, a freshman in graphic design, said that arts classes in elementary, middle and high school helped her to pick her major.
“[Taking art classes] definitely helped me to pick my major,” Atteberry said. “I took art through every grade.”
Some have created organizations to combat the decrease in funding for the arts, such as VH1’s Save the Music Foundation.
It has provided almost $40 million worth of musical instruments to 1,500 public schools, according to their Web site.
Stephens said playing an instrument has helped him to be more creative and has seen the good results of playing musical instruments in his family.
“I play the keyboard and my brother and sister are in marching band,” Stephens said. “It’s very disciplined, and I see how it makes them learn to listen and play not only as a individual but also in a group.”
Atteberry said she was pleasantly surprised to learn that State’s graphic design program is highly ranked in the United States and enjoys her classes.
“I think [the graphic design program] is real good,” Atteberry said. “I was surprised because I didn’t know anything about the design program. It really gets you to think outside of the box. We created toys inspired by Da Vinci. I would have never thought to do that on my own.”
Many find it distressing that children growing up today will not have the same opportunity to explore the arts as they did.
“This is definitely going to have a negative affect because [children] won’t have the ability to express themselves in school,” Atteberry said.
“[Decreased funding] will be discouraged, because a lot of people can’t afford it,” Olp said. “It’s an expensive hobby. I know growing up I had to save money to buy a big pack of colored pencils. Art is expensive because of the materials and without funding through schools, many won’t have the opportunity.”
