CMU's chapter of the National Arts Education Association began another year of support of art education during the first general meeting Tuesday in the Bovee University Center's Down Under Food Court.
Sharon Lee House, associate professor of art and adviser to the organization recommends membership in the association for art majors, elementary and secondary education majors, and other students involved in the advocacy of art education.
"Too many kids are falling through the cracks," Lee House said. "Art may offer children a reason to stay in school. Sports can do this too, but sports don't reach every child."
Renee Tocco, Sterling Heights junior, agrees with House on the importance of art education in schools.
"I think art is an essential part of education. That's why I didn't just put up flyers for the meeting in Wightman, I put them up in Ronan too, for all education majors," Tocco said.
Since the club's initiation in 1981, students have worked to further the awareness of the importance of art education in schools by hosting fund raisers, sponsoring speakers and hosting art workshops for children, she said.
Tocco would like to see more activities sponsored by NAEA, with active members involved in the campus and Mount Pleasant community. The possibility of working with the Student Art League was also discussed.
"I'm really enthusiastic about art. I would love to see us do more this year," Tocco said.
The first meeting will be an introduction to the organization and its philosophies, along with an opportunity to gauge interest and choose meeting time and location, Lee House said.
Membership fees are $25 and include membership to both the National Arts Education Association and the Michigan Arts Education Association (MAEA), along with a subscription to "Arteacher," a magazine for art educators, she said.
Both national and state associations provide a common ground to begin making professional and social contacts in the art field. House said many of these contacts are made at two annual conferences, one sponsored by the national and state organizations.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Arts Education Association Conference. One of the group's main goals is to raise enough funds to send members to the Nov. 18-21 event held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, she said.
The conference informs advocates in art education about important changes in the arts by listening to speakers, attending instructional workshops and making contacts with other artists and art educators, Lee House said.
"Art education has changed radically in the last 15 years with increased interest in a discipline-based approach to art education," Lee House said. "This education includes emphasis in four areas which are art production, art history, aesthetics and art criticism. They offer a wonderful opportunity for using visual arts to connect all areas of the curriculum to the child on a personal level," Lee House said.
Lee House sees art education as a means to reach all children by allowing them self-expression and creative license.
She said, "The concept on which the organization is based is so important. I feel privileged to be a part of it."
Both Tocco and Lee House are eager to begin another year of art advocacy and encourage as many interested students as possible to attend their next meeting on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Bovee University Center's Down Under Food Court.