Big things are happening on university and college campuses across the United States, the main thing being budget cuts. You should be aware of how big of an impact this is going to have on not just the schools, but the communities we live in.
Due to state funding schools are forced to cut different programs, majors, minors, faculty, and staff members from many campuses.
The first programs to be cut are supposed to be the programs that do not bring in money for the school, but over the years it tends to be the arts programs that are cut first. Art programs include music, theatre, art, and dance departments. It should be noted that these programs have already seen funding decreases over the years. Most art departments have to self-raise a majority of the money to cover the costs of theatre productions, concerts, and art galleries. In the state of Kentucky, for the fall 2016-2017 school year, incoming students at Eastern Kentucky University who have a passion for the arts may not have the opportunity to even major or minor in the arts!
Studies have shown that the arts help people with disabilities. People with autism have used the theatre to help with their confidence, movement, and speech. You see videos every day on Facebook of people who say that music or dance or the theatre has saved their lives. I worked with students with disabilities for a few years while I was in high school, and every day I was amazed by what they could do. I have a friend who is majoring in Recreation and Park administration, with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. This is a field in medicine, the science and math programs that don't worry about getting cut. When this person goes to work with patients she has to know what they like. What they like most of the time has something to do with the arts. They do arts and crafts, they listen to music, and this person is hoping that one day she can bring dance to her patients to help them even more. Another friend of mine is majoring in Elementary Education, and she takes dance classes so that in the future she can incorporate creative movement into her classroom. This is a great way to get young students up and moving instead of sitting behind their desks all day long. One student at EKU that I have talked to, who is an aviation pro-flight major, takes dance classes on the side as a stress reliever from all the business classes and science classes she is taking. A Marine Biology major told me he just decided to try it for fun, and now he is hooked on it. As you can tell, it's not just students trying to major in the arts that are taking dance, music, and art classes.
I personally have already changed schools once before because of the arts departments being cut completely. My major is now communications, nothing to do with the arts, but because I love the arts, I stay involved. I grew up with music, and it has helped me get through some rough times. I was in band, choir, and I have performed on many stages. If it was not for the dance department at EKU, I do not know if I would be here today. I struggled with life and with God, and dancing made those worries and stressors go away. I was able to express myself through something I love. The same can be said for music. I loved singing at my old school, and then the department was cut. I moved in hopes that I could find something like that at Eastern. I did, and while it may not be be involving, choir anymore, EKU's art department saved my life.
So why are the arts being cut? That's a great question; let's ask Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and President of Eastern Kentucky University, Michael Benson. It may be for short-term gain, but it will result in a long-term loss, not only for the creative arts at EKU, but also the well-being of the Commonwealth.
