There’s a reason schools purchase expensive portrait banners of star football players and not spotlight artists. Why the senior volleyball players receive luxurious gift baskets for simply being on the team while award-winning student artists receive no recognition. The arts being under-represented is not a new concern, but it’s one that continually plagues the halls of Robinson.
While this may seem like a product of budget constraints or limited resources toward the arts, the true cause lies with student apathy. Robinson’s PTSA has continually attempted to correct this problem of artistic underappreciation with little to no reception from the student body.
“Reflections” is a national PTSA program that helps promote the arts within schools by offering competitions that allow them to showcase their work. Every year, over 300,000 students from Pre-K to Grade 12 create original pieces of art based on a theme developed by a representative group of students. Students can submit their work in not just visual arts, but also film production, music composition, dance choreography, literature, and photography. In alignment with the program’s message of inclusivity, there is even an accessible arts division for those with a 504 plan who may need physical help creating their art.
This marks Robinson’s fifth year hosting the contest, an increasingly unpopular event amongst the Robinson community. PTSA leader and organizer of the event Erin Quinn shares her frustrations with this persistent poor turnout.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed. Not just for the program–that’s really not what it’s about. I want students to see the value in art, and so that’s really where I don’t know if it’s that they don’t see the value in participating in the program, or it’s that they don’t see the value in art. I hope it’s just the former, because that’s correctable,” Quinn said.
Art is an offered elective at the school, but not everyone may be able to enroll in the class.
“PTSA would like to see the arts promoted everywhere. We’re aware that I.B. has an art showcase at the end of the year, but we want to see arts recognition across the board, and it doesn’t have to be through formal classes either. Our motto at PTSA is ‘Every child one voice,’ so we want to speak for every kid and make sure that the opportunities that are available to one kid are also available to the next one,” Quinn said.
A major challenge to art in education is the pressure to meet academic benchmarks, but what if there was a way to combine the two?
“I gave every art, literature or adjacent teacher a promotional flyer during service week so that they could post it in their classrooms. It would be lovely if they could make it part of their assignments, but I understand that there’s a lot of structures in place for what they are required to teach, and it’s not always possible, “Quinn said.
With curriculum restrictions preventing endorsement from core class teachers, hope for the campaign is left to another group of people in the school.
“I’d love to see students helping to promote it. I think that’s the key. I can post about it, but I think there needs to be direct promotion to really gain applicants,” Quinn said.
Due to the minimal student engagement with the competition, every applicant this year was immediately sent to county level with possible chances of national recognition for their art. Every participant will receive a monetary prize for their contributions.
“Reflections” is a modestly scaled competition that significantly contributes to the arts. Despite limited student interest, the PTSA remains committed to hosting the event, hoping to inspire greater appreciation and participation in the future.
