Gehry responded that Paul Allen, whose foundation commissioned the revolutionary design by the architect who brought the world the stunning new Guggenheim Museum of Art in Balboa, Spain, wanted a place where creativity could be pursued. According to the Root-Bernsteins, the impulse then manifests itself in the form of our emotions, intuitions, images or physical feelings. What ultimately results, they contend, is a translation of the initial creative impulse into formal systems of communications - those being words, equations, pictures, music or dance. Thus, to deny a child the opportunity to develop her capacities in all these communication channels for the creative spark to become a flame is to deny that child a complete education. To the Chairman's list I would add empathy, a capacity that I believe the arts, and particularly theater, can uniquely and powerfully instill in young people.
Children are multi-tasking with computers, the Internet and Web pages, cell phones, cable and video.
Fostering Stability As a resource, I recommend you get copies of Gaining the Arts Advantage , a study that profiles 90 school districts with solid commitments to arts as part of basic education. A community actively engaged in the arts politics and instructional programs of the district, both in and outside of the schools. A supportive policy framework provided by the local school board. Teachers who practice their arts and are encouraged by district leaders to grow in their arts as well as in their teaching competence. Continuous improvement through reflective practice at all school levels.