Imagine never stepping foot outside of your comfort zone. Feeling as though you could not voice your opinion let alone anything else. This was my life before the arts. I was a quiet, cautious tween who found confidence, friendship and scholarship through the arts. It’s safe to say that my life was forever changed by viewing myself on the center stage instead of behind the scenes. 70% of our state schools do not have an Arts Education program. Alabama only allocates $1.3 million to the arts, where other core subjects receive over $30 million. My initiative, Center Stage, is helping students break free from emotional and financial barriers through creation by implementing arts education programs in Alabama schools.
Starting my volunteerism with band programs, I quickly saw how academic achievement correlates with arts education. Center Stage is partnered with teachers, students, and parents to develop the 5 Cs (Confidence, Cultural Appreciation, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Communication) of Arts Education. This program helps teachers and students implement the arts into core subjects. Over the past five years, Center Stage has raised over $40,000 for arts education in Alabama. With this funding, we were able to reach approximately 3,000 students, teachers, and state officials while establishing seven art programs in Alabama schools. I am currently in the process of making Center Stage an LLC that will be an online forum to provide art-oriented core subject lesson plans and instructional videos to teachers and students. Center Stage is expanding to serve the nation.
The schools I take Center Stage to are predominantly lower socio-economic school systems where they cannot afford arts education or art lessons outside of school. The biggest lesson I learned from volunteering in these locations is that consistency matters. Not only does daily practice influence an artist's life, but dependable role models are needed to help students excel. A school that I would like to highlight now is West Point High School. After the number of students involved in the arts doubled, teacher participation and community support also increased. They realized how important the arts were to these children. Approximately twenty students received scholarships for performing arts since joining the theatre and band department. Beyond academic growth, students benefitted psychologically through connecting with their community. Teachers and parents also reap the reward of more responsible and emotionally steady students. The arts are improving their happiness and promoting personal growth.
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