On Giftedness and the loss of Art and Creativity

When we lose the celebration of birth…, all that’s left feels empty a barren….

Recently there have been many government cutbacks. These cutbacks have affected many sectors of society worldwide.  Education has not been immune to this, and indeed, at least in Ireland it has hit the schooling sector hard. The education system in the USA has also been struggling with a number of issues

Less money means fewer resources all around, and the struggling economies worldwide and the need to look towards generating new financial avenues, has meant a push towards accountability in schools, many exam focused, and unfortunately a fallout of interest in/funding of subjects that do not appear on the surface as ‘money generators’ or likely to produce people with skills that may become money generators in a country’s struggling economy..

There is great talk about innovation, creativity and the generation of new ideas to help fuel recoveries..

It is very sad then, that it seems that in many countries there has been significant cut backs in funding, time and programs related to art in education.. as much of our ‘creativity’ as humans is often born from our first exposure to having ‘made something with our own hands’..  as very very  young children..  and may often have the potential, if encouraged and nurtured to eventually turn into years down the line..  an ‘innovation’, ‘invention’, ‘new ideas’ and ways of doing things’.  Being able to visualise, problem solve while trying to produce something is part of art.  It is also part of creative and critical thinking.  The fuzzy problem of how to turn a piece of playdo into an elephant.  Not so far off dealing with some of our world problems today..

A pity so many systems are having their art budgets cut back.. In my view,  are nations are doing so at our own, and our children’s peril.. , and putting creativity at risk.. and hence our Nations  Humanity.. as in my view anyways..

“Creativity IS what defines us as Human….. “

Creativity needs to be celebrated, even and especially at young ages… or we may see it’s lack of fruition. .. and this, my friends is truely a sadness..