Alright, it’s time to play devil’s advocate and then bury this post as fast as I can…
I’ve been watching the Arts here in Stockton, CA. go through a very big change. Admittedly… a good amount of changes have been way overdue, but almost all of these changes are unthought-out knee jerk solutions to our local and state budget crises. Without elaborating on the full scope of the dilemmas that I've been watching, I want to wade in on just one negative topic that I see that can really change the dynamics of our arts community in a positive direction.
Our local community college has decided to restrict the amount of time that non-continuation students (i.e. seniors) can spend taking up seats in common studio classes. This seems innocent enough, but a whole lot of seats are taken up with a few handfuls of adults “students” that have been taking classes for 10 years or more. In our local community college system, adult students can make their way to the front of the line for class registration and (get this) they pay $0 to use the facility. This pushes out the next generation of students that need the studio resources’ to begin learning.
Ok… before this turns into a long monolog, I want to go on record to suggest that everyone that has the energy to bitch about this change funnels their energy into creating a new extended learning class format or work to develop a new community arts center. Either of these proposals can start small and grow as needed, but as I see it… If you feel free enough to bitch about change, you can help steer change in a positive direction… There are many community arts models that work very, very well. But first, many of our local arts elders need to stop whining and dodging their responsibilities and become the leaders that the community needs. Unfortunately… I’m fearing that everyone that chooses to complain is merely hoping that someone else will sacrifice their time and effort to serve their interests. Well…
WAKE UP!
You need to help create opportunities for yourselves outside of the system to appreciate the opportunities that are at your fingertips. If you don’t think it’s worth your time or treasure… You have no class… I hope the next generation can rise to the challenge.
2 comments:
Our community college has the same scenario. Last semester they cancelled all ceramics classes, this year they have a ton of them and even added crafts so seniors could still take class as the system would only allow them to take each class three times, but one person dominates the whole kiln so that didn't help anyone but him. I thought about applying for a grant to start a community arts center here, but now I am moving so I won't pursue that. It might be something someone could do there though. Our little town would barely support something like that, but Stockton area is so much larger, surely there must a group that could organize.
These are strange times.
You have brought up a really important topic!
Up here in the heart of Grass Valley, we have successfully done just that. Everyone is welcome for art classes and miscellaneous programs ie drama, music all at the "Center for the Arts". It gives the instructors the opportunity to make a little cash on the side.
Perhaps your post will cause some action. I certainly found this insightful. Thank you.
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