In Monday’s (7/6) Gotham Gazette, U.S. Congressman José M. Serrano, Representative of New York’s 16th District, writes about the need for better arts education, characterizing it as a matter of national concern. “The issue of arts education brings us to the basic question of what type of society we wish to build. Today’s eighth graders are the next generation of civic and business leaders. The cultural heritage of the state of New York, be it visual, architectural or musical, will be in their hands. If we want future generations to appreciate and see value in architectural icons like the Brooklyn Bridge, music forms like jazz and salsa, and painters like Edward Hopper, we need to introduce young people to them now. No matter what their ethnic, cultural or class background, a sound arts education strengthens our children’s connection to their communities and to broader society.”
Posted July 7, 2009
