Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-06
THE NORTH WINDOW

In Syracuse g. fortnight ago the EaSt
ern Arts Association, a thousand
strong, consisting of teachers or art
in the public schools Of our Eastern
States. held its seventeenth annual
convention. Here, this week, the
American Institute Of Architects, en-
bracing in it's membership the lead
inr architects of the United States, is
holding its fifty ninth annual meeting
Next week the Association or Amer
lear Art Museum Directors ana tne
American Federation of Arts, the iaI
fer representing Ais art museums ana
associations in the United STATES
will gather for conference
All of these organizations are en-
deavoring to promote the deVeiop-
ment of art and its appreciation; III
the history Of the world has there
ever before been such concerteu eA
fort toward this end?
The thousand members OF lhe
Eastern Arts Association who attend
ed the meeting in Syracuse represent
only a. portion Of the many VINO are
giving their lives to this purpose. IL
Is well within the memory of those
still vigorous and capable when art
teaching in the public schools was
novelty. a rarity. There are compare
lively few States in the Union that do
not include 1t among the subjects regu-
larly taught. And how remarkably the
character of the work done In the pub
lie schools in this department mas
changed in the past 70 years! Wnere-
as it first had a stereotyped stodglness'
it has now spontaneity and Vlgor;
whereas originally the purpose was TO
induce the development or artists Hs
object now is to increase appreciation,
to relate art to everyday life, to open
avenues of enjoyment to the average
child. 1t is safe to say that no finer
body of men and women can be got
together than that composed of the
teachers and supervisors OF art in our
public schools throughout the country.
** X y
A great many Of these teachers OF
art in the public schools are college
graduates; in fact, in a majority OF
the States this is made a requirement,
if not for appointment, certainly for
promotion. To an extent this Signifles
a, heightening of standard, an appre-
citation of the Importance or general
scholarship; but, on the other hand,
it works a hardship and is detr1'
mental. Art Is a specially, and those
who fit themselves as teachers must
give to the subject g. large amount OF
time and attention, a larger amount
of both than is possible when carry
ing on a full college curriculum, lead
ing to the B. S. or B. A. degrees.
Likewise, those who have secured po-
sitionS and are Self-supporting, are
working for promotion, are obliged to
neglect the subject which they teach
in order to earn a degree by study in
another field. Thus many teachers OF
a. - in he v1y,hlia schools AaUnfR all Of
| their holidays during the best years OF
their early life to acquiring degrees
which are practically only useful to
them in securing higher pay. Mean
while they are losing aptitude and
opportunity for advancement in their
own chosen field. Such requirements
are not logical and work hardship.
There is today a fetish in regard
to degrees, which comes as a result
undoubtedly of increased competition
| in the scholastic field and overZeal
degree Is obviously the token Of ac-
complishment; it is not accomplish
ment in itself, but so 1t is generally
today regarded. When a teacher in
one Of the famous preparatory schools
was asked how much time was given
to the study of art she replied:
Practically none at all; my students
have all they can do to prepare
themselves for the entrance examina-
tions''-in other words, to get in. To
the question as to how much they
did in art after they got in college,
the reply was again: mot a great
deal; they have all they can do to
cover the required courses and get
their degree" When one of the great
foundations recently offered a number
of scholarships. and fellowships to
those desiring to make art teaching
| in the college profession. the ma.
| jority who applied gave as their CHIEF
objective the securing of an additional
degree.
| Increase in knowledge is without
doubt valuable equipment for any
| teacher, but degrees merely as de
grees are only useful in ATTAINING
positions ana increased salaries, and
as such they are not always all they
| appear. The teachers of art in the
public schools or in our colleges should
be especially trained for their partlcu'
| lar subject; they should not only
have knowledge but the power to
impart knowledge, and that rare gift
of engendering sane enthusiasm
through which alone the love OF art
becomes contagious.
u X
It is true that in recent years IN
terest in art on the part of the stu
dents in our American colleges has
greatly increased. and with IT,
through the students demand. facill'
| ties for art study. Yale University
has lately received a gift of $1,000
| 400 for an art museum; Harvard has
set an example through the upbulld'
| ing of it's Fogg Museum and its use
as a laboratory in the fine arts, It's
exhibits providing material Tor
original study and research. A plan
has been drawn UP by Henry Salem
Hubbell. the well known painter. Tor
a school Of fine arts and museum
workshop in connection with the
new University Of Miami. Florida.
Syracuse University has we'll es-
tablished and equipped college of fine
arts in which painting, illustration,
interior decoration and music In its
several branches are taught. and well
taught The Carnegie Technical In
stit,Ite of Pittsburgh has a school Of
art in which painting, sculpture,
music. the drama and poetry happily
hobnob. The University of Wash
| lngton, at Seattle. has lately been left
Valuable collection of works Of art,
nd rejoices in it's possession. Among
the exhibitions sent out by the Ameri-
can Federation of Arts this last year
were three sent exclusively to col
leees and universities. These three
we're shown no less than 81 times.
\ X X X
The time was when education in art
was deemed non-essential for the
average student, and there are many
still who regard the knowledge of art
as beyond their ken. Otherwise we
should not have so Indifferent a pub
liz in regard to civic beauty; we
should not have so few who are ac-
ouainted with the names and works
of our foremost American architects;
we should not hear so often the say.