National Art Education Association 
Western Region Leadership Conference
June 18-21, 2015

 The leaders of the Western Region of NAEA convened in Santa Fe, New Mexico June 18-21st to discuss art education in their states and the state of art education. The conference was outstanding, and thank you to Elizabeth Willit of Texas and Phyllis Roybal of New Mexico for all of their hard work planning these enjoyable work days. I am left with a few thoughts. 1) Art educators are amazing! 2) As a society we place so much emphasis on "decor" and making things look nice....in our work buildings and places, in our homes, in our public spaces and places, in all forms of media......yet art education which is where all of this stems from is often the one genre or discipline in the educational realm to get overlooked the most in strategic planning at the local level or cut....or targeted by governors and state legislatures, especially Republican governors. I've been a Republican my whole life but I am really concerned why education, and especially art education, is always their target. There is waste in every level of government and all departments need to be held accountable. The stories of what Republican governors are doing to the arts and art education was so disheartening. 3) Good (or great) art educators ADD SOOOO much to the local school and community and state! 4) Doesn't even have to be said but research shows schools with the arts do better on standardized testing, have lower dropout rates, and higher attendance rates. The arts seamlessly integrate with all other subjects. Plus, these schools (and communities) are happier places where the soulful, spiritual side of being a human can thrive well! 5) And there was more. 

In art education we always have to advocate. There are many theories for this, but one of the more common reason is man of our K-12 administrators worked their way up through the coaching ranks and some value arts education and some just aren't focused on it at all. Support the arts in your communities....visual arts, drama, dance, music. Let your school admin know how much you value the arts. Support local art teachers with your resources and time. Good arts teachers should be a valued contributor in your community. Call them to serve on local committees, speak at local functions, and participate in local events. They and their students can enhance so much in your community. I grew up in a western Kansas community (Yay Scott City!!) where the arts and sports were both outstanding and prominent in the community and still are! I remember the quarterback (Hi Galen!) coming out to march with us in the marching band at halftime of football games! 

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS. This even seems more relevant to me as I spend a lot of time driving these days from Texas to Kansas and Texas to New Mexico. Many of our small towns are losing their vibrancy.....probably in part because of Internet commerce. The arts can bring vibrancy to your community!! As I ponder the many comments made by representatives from 16 states at the conference, advocating for the arts is something I need to do more often and something that I know can bring life and vitality to your schools and communities. I have seen and experienced it in my own life. It's called community building.