Special Section

Kids: A Part of the Arts

fostering kids' creativity through the arts is more important than ever

Trevor Kupfer |

As labor jobs continue to move overseas and the economy continues to scare, experts in economics and education are increasingly saying creativity is our best hope of competing in the global market. “Creativity is one of the last remaining legal ways to gain an unfair advantage over the competition,” author Charles Landry wrote. After all, the world still looks to us for their entertainment and innovations in fields like technology. The dilemma is that, as budgets need cutting, traditional lines of thinking point to arts programs at schools as being “frill,” not “core,” and thus targets. And if children aren’t exposed early, their brains become hard-wired around the uses they make (or do not make) of them. Lucky for you, your children, and our future, we’ve prepared this guide to the out-of-school arts opportunities in the Chippewa Valley, of which there are thankfully several. So while your kids watch Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba (notice what they use to teach lessons?), sift through the benefits and offerings in music, dance, theater, and visual art, as well as the loads of other great programs for kids and families in our area.