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Let's keep art part of the program
Going back many, many years, the McCook area has been distinguished by its artistic and cultural achievements. In an isolated location -- hours away from metropolitan areas -- citizens have taken it upon themselves to encourage and participate in the fine arts.
For that reason, many community members became disturbed when they learned the McCook Board of Education, for financial reasons, had slashed the school's art program to less than half its previous level. Two things caused the cutback. The most telling was the board's decision not to replace the high school's excellent, long-time art instructor, Jim Steinke, when he retired. Instead, the board and administration decided to move the junior high art teacher, Steve Clapp, to the high school, and to not replace him on the junior high level. And then, on top of that, the school cut from eight periods a day to seven, further reducing class offerings.
No one denies that sacrifices are necessary because of the financial pressure the school district is facing. On the other hand, those fighting to save the art program know how important art instruction can be in helping students develop well-rounded lives.
Members of the McCook Art Guild and McCook Arts Council, who are encouraging additional art programs for McCook schools, say their feelings are expressed by this quote from the National Art Education Association: "If you removed all the art in the lives of our children ... there is no way that adding more mathematics, increasing more reading programs, requiring more science, mandating more tests, or scheduling more computer courses, could replace what they would have lost."
Since learning of the cutback in the art program, members of the Art Guild and Arts Council have made it a point to appear before the school board at every opportunity. And that effort will continue. "We are trying to present a positive message ... to think outside the box ... in an attempt to encourage the school system to make certain art remains an integral part of the curriculum," said a former educator and longtime guild member, Norma Stevens.
As possibilities, art supporters are encouraging the board and administration to explore partnerships with area schools for art education. Art Guild and Arts Council members are also urging the public schools to look into partnering with McCook Community College for art programs, and -- expanding on a program already in existence -- the guild and council members want the school to look into establishing a year-around artist-in-residence program to serve all grades: K through 12.
Because of all the advances in telecommunications, opportunities also exist to bring art instruction to McCook through distance learning. In other words, the art supporters say, don't give up on any option. While money problems may force changes, that doesn't mean McCook's long heritage of art education has to be limited too severely. Let's work together. Let's explore the options. Let's find a way to keep art a vibrant part of McCook's educational program.