We’d like to think that genuises such as Rembrandt and Michaelangelo created their masterpieces with their own hands, but the reality is that they had assistants and apprentices to help them complete their works. Today, with the pressures artists feel from their dealers and followers, the trend of hired employees is on the rise. To many this seems untruthful, especially when the artist has absolutely no part in the actual painting/sculpting but instead acts as a “director” to the work process.

This trend though does seem to help those who are new to the art scene. Recent art graduates have the opportunity to work under well-known artists, gain practice and maybe a little recognition, and then branch out on their own. After the assistants have branched out, it seems as though they all tend to disagree with the use of assistants. Rachel Howard, who worked as an assistant to Damien Hirst, says that she “can’t think of anything worse” than having an assistant herself although she seems to have learned some valuable lessons about her own worth.

How do you feel about assembly line art? Would you be less inclined to buy art knowing other people had a part in its creation other than the artist who signed it?

To read the full article by Stan Sesser, please click here.

National Art League instructor Rhoda Lowinger continually stresses the importance of art in a child’s education. “Many parents don’t realize the overall impact art education has on child development, allowing gains in math, reading and science, as well as increasing cognitive ability and critical reasoning skills,” Lowinger said at a ceremony this month displaying students work. Parents whose children are enrolled at the cultural center know this all to well. They have enrolled their children in many different classes offered to enhance the education their children receive.

Read more about what Rhoda Lowinger and the National Art League offer in classes in this article published in Douglastown Patch by Patrick Conti:

the-little-einsteins-of-art-

Dosomething.org’s Make Art. Save Art. got some art publicity recently. Angela Kinsey and Ellie Kemper, stars from “The Office”,  have donated art to the campaign sponsored by HP and AMD.

As mentioned in an earlier post this campaign wants to use artists and students to spread the message  that arts are important to American schools. 

Read more about what Angela and Ellie are doing in support of this campaign

Office Stars and Make Art Save Art

To read more about Dosomething.org, Make Art. Save Art and sponsors HP and AMD click below

Dosomething.org

Go to the below link to get the details and get started in organizing your “big draw”.

http://www.drawingamerica.org

Also, available at the site is an eBook that helps you plan and organize your own event.

With this declaration, the House is recognizing  that arts education, including the disciplines of dance, music, theater, media arts, literature, design and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students.

This is the first time the U.S. legislature has formally recognized the intrinsic value of all art forms in education.

Maria Van Laanen, vice president of communication and external relations for the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wisconsin, believes the announcement comes at a crucial time as students return to the classroom. 

In a press release posted on BroadwayWorld.com this week, Van Laanen says, “One of the really interesting things this resolution does is recognize trends that educators already know, that arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline and alternative ways to communicate. All of these traits support academic success and help students grow as individuals and as members of our community.”

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center supports this key element in a child’s development through its many programs.

To read more regarding National Arts Week and Fox Cities Performing Arts Center please follow the below link:

National Arts Week

Follow the below link to read this interesting article written by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman for Newsweek.

The Creative Crisis

Beginning  next week, the White House will be will be hosting events celebrating the arts, innovation and creativity. In conjunction with this they will be promoting the importance of arts for students and the community.

On Monday, July 19th, the President and First Lady will begin the weeklong celebration with a music series honoring the arts and demonstrating the importance of arts education. Later in the week First Lady Obama will be hosting a luncheon to honor Recipients of the National Design Awards which are handed out to artists in various disciplines from architecture to product design.  

To read more about this celebration follow this link:

White House Celebrates the Arts

Ines Lozano, principal of the International Christian School, knows the healing power of art. That’s why he helped put together “Through the Eyes of a Haitian Child,” a project that has him and three other educators visiting Haiti to teach art and photography to homeless and orphaned children.

“Art could be a great therapy to relieve most of the anxiety, a way of forgetting,” said Lozano.

Lozano’s school community has been on board with the trip. People donated art supplies and students created artwork of their own to share with the Haitian children.

The school is teaming up with Friends of the Orphans, an organization that runs an orphanage and pediatric hospital in Haiti. Jessica Wendorf, the Regional Developmental Manager for the organization, hopes Lozano’s new project creates a lot of memories…and maybe something a bit more permanent.

“To collect enough supplies for all the kids to last them throughout the summer, and possibly even longer is our biggest goal.”

To read more about the project and find out how you can help, click on the link to the story below written by Esther Medina for the Key Biscayne Times.

Haiti art project seeks to show life in Haiti through children’s eyes

Last June, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson wanted to raise the profile of arts in the city. So, he helped create the For Art’s Sake initiative and raised $100,000 within the first week.

Talk about putting money where his mouth is.

“We are going to promote the arts in a real way,” Johnson said.

Since its inception, For Art’s Sake has held monthly public meetings showcasing an arts venue and welcoming appearances by celebrity artists with local ties. Members of the initiative have also put together a creative action plan of three strategies to be carried out over the next few years: strengthen cultural infrastructure, improve access to the arts and arts education and invest in talent and the creative economy.

To read more about For Art’s Sake and the exciting things it’s already doing for art education, click on the link to the original story written by Jonathan Mendick for the Sacramento Press.

For Art’s Sake looks to make impact