McNeil Lowry- Advocate for the Arts

McNeil (Mac) Lowry was a major supporter of the arts during the 1960's when he was Vice President of the Ford Foundation. He was asked why arts funding was important. Read an excerpt of a keynote speech by Ben Cameron to hear his response. Click read all to view the excerpt.

Read all of McNeil Lowry- Advocate for the Arts

Meet Your Legislators & Decatur School Board

Don't know who your local legislators or school board is? Click read all to view a contact list of your local representatives. Send them an invitation to your next arts event or ask them to participate as a guest judge or lecturer. Share your student success stories about arts in education. Write a hand-written letter or call them and encourage them to remember the importance of the arts in your community.

Read all of Meet Your Legislators & Decatur School Board

Why our voices are not heard...

In a recent discussion at Kirkland Fine Arts Center, members of the Decatur community discussed some of the reasons the arts are often overlooked in the public schools and some steps we could take locally to help remedy the situation. Click Read all to see what they had to say.

Read all of Why our voices are not heard...

Arts Advocacy

Visit these Arts Advocacy Links to help create change in your community:

Respond to issues currently being discussed in Washington.

Tips on how parents can advocate for the arts in their children’s school. 

Ten ways to Convert Legislators into Arts Advocates.

Useful tools for organizations and individuals to advocate for the arts.

Basic steps on how you can prepare yourself for arts advocacy.

Easy action items that you can do in a short period of time and make an impact.

Resources and Services for Businesses that want to get more involved in the arts.

Read all of Arts Advocacy

Know Where the Candidates Stand on the Arts

This election season, don't forget to consider the candidates position on the arts when making your decision. Often overlooked, the arts cannot succeed without the support of public funding and the support of legislators. Visit the presidential candidates as well as your state and local representative’s websites to find out more about their position.  Click Read all to read the Arts Statements by both 2008 Presidential Candidates.

Read all of Know Where the Candidates Stand on the Arts

Little Women Video Blogs

The Millikin University Department of Theatre & Dance will present Little Women: The Musical this November. Take a behind-the-scenes look and learn about the process behind the production by watching these video blogs:

 

 

Read all of Little Women Video Blogs

Art at Any Age!

I recently came across this article in Reader’s Digest.  It is about a man who decided to pick up the mandolin at age 40; almost 30 years after he had any musical instruction in his life.  I feel like his story is a strong testimony to the fact that art and music are crafts that can be picked up at any age and any stage in life.  The arts are a universal language that can appeal to everyone in some form or another.  As a musician and music education major, I strongly believe in sharing this gift with others and encouraging others to explore the possibilities of art no matter what age you are, what experiences you have had, or what you are interested in.  I want to challenge anyone reading to explore the arts in some way, whether it is attending a concert or show, taking an art class, or picking up the mandolin; it is never to late to start and you might be surprised at what you will learn.

Read all of Art at Any Age!

Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique

This great review of a book by Michael Gazzaniga discribes Michael's exploration of what makes humans different from animals-ART! Read the full article below.

Read all of Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique

Evidence You Can Use

Whether you attend one art event a year or pack in three events a night, you can still be an active supporter of the arts in your community and with-in your family and social circles. And you won't be alone. Here is some information you can use to get attention focused on the arts...

Read all of Evidence You Can Use

How the Arts Matter to our Youth

A student's experience at the Children's Museum of Illinois, shared by Marge (Tower)...

Read all of How the Arts Matter to our Youth

Lakeside Arts & Music Festival

This past 4th of July weekend marked the Fourth Annual Lakeside Arts & Music Festival in conjunction with the Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon in Decatur. Gallery510, the Decatur Area Arts Council, and many other arts related organizations helped add to the musical festivites by offering free arts activities including wheel-throwing, mexican foil art, and a mural project. Families were able to bring their children to try their hand at pottery, painting, and more-all free of charge!

This festival proves that there is always something fun and exciting to do right here and Decatur and it doesn't cost a thing. The crowds on both Saturday and Sunday were said to be the largest of them all with people enjoying the beautiful weather while strolling along Lake Decatur, visiting local vendors serving up painting, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, drawing and more. All the sponsors that made the weekend possible should be commended and if you missed out this year, be sure to look forward to what we are sure will be an even bigger year next summer.

For more information on the festival, visit http://www.decaturtriathlon.com/

Read all of Lakeside Arts & Music Festival

Ten Ways Parents Can Get more Art in Their Kids' Lives

Click Read all of Ten Ways... to view a list of Ten Simple Ways Parents Can Get More Art in Their Kids' Lives...

Read all of Ten Ways Parents Can Get more Art in Their Kids' Lives

Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts recently announced their new public service announcements that use humor to get the message across that the arts are necessary in our schools. Watch the commercials here http://www.americansforthearts.org/public_awareness/the_ads/001.asp

Read all of Americans for the Arts

Not on the Test

The video for the song, "Not on the Test," that Tom Chapin wrote with John Forster. The two wrote the song to express their disappointment in the lack of arts education in public schools. www.notonthetest.com

Read all of Not on the Test

No Child Leaves Arts Behind...

In the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the arts share an equal billing with reading, math, science and other "core academic subjects". But the reality is...

 

Read all of No Child Leaves Arts Behind...

Arts in Education: Making the Case

Schools across the country have long stuggled to gather funding and support for arts in education. Decatur public schools are no exception. On Thursday, May 1, Kirkland Fine Arts Center will join with Decatur educators and local community members to discuss the impact of the arts in schools. But our problem...

Read all of Arts in Education: Making the Case

Coffee Conversation- March 27, 2008

On March 27, 2008 community members and local art organizations met to discuss the economic impact of the arts on the Decatur community...

Read all of Coffee Conversation- March 27, 2008

Decatur is a Working Class Town!

Kirkland Fine Arts Center was interested in hearing what you had to say about the arts in Decatur and how they matter to this community. Here's what one person said:

"Decatur is a working class town. Let's avoid the arts and crafts if you want the single men to show up."

Read all of Decatur is a Working Class Town!

How do the arts matter to Decatur's economy?

According to a study by the Americans for the Arts...

Read all of How do the arts matter to Decatur's economy?

Access and Opportunity: Programming for a Diverse Community

On Thursday, February 28, Kirkland Fine Arts Center and the Decatur Area Arts Council held an open discussion on arts programming in our community. Here are some of the comments made during the conversation. What are your thoughts?

Read all of Access and Opportunity: Programming for a Diverse Community

Welcome

Welcome to Kirkland Fine Arts Center's new KirkOut Blog where you can post your comments on the arts in the Decatur area community! We'll frequently post our thoughts and hope you'll do the same. Add the KirkOut Blog to your favorites and we'll look forward to your feedback!

Read all of Welcome