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...

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How the Arts Matter to our Youth

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

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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/

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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...

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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

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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

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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...

 

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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...

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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...

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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."

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