Recently, I got to interview (via Phone) Sam Difrancesco, 23, a recent graduate of Delaware Community College in May of 2014. As a Computer Aided Design (CAD) graduate, Sam answered some questions about the Arts and STEM subjects.

Can you explain your Major/Career at this point in time?

“My name is Sam DiFrancesco and I’m a Engineering/Computer Aided Design (CAD) major with a Bachelors Degree from Delaware Community College. I currently work as  a CAD Tech-1 at UC Energetic. I’m in charge of creating schematics for electric wiring and piping for construction workers.”

Do you feel that the importance of the Arts (Art, Music, theater, etc.) is often overlooked when deciding the important subjects in a curriculum? Why or Why not?

“I think yes because most of the popular arts (Music and Visual Arts) are not viewed in a professional light.”

Is there too much attention towards STEM (Science, technology, Engineering, Math) subjects?

“Those subjects are helpful with the improvement and development of mankind. It’s necessary to help mankind make discoveries and progress forward in their evolution. So, no, I don’t think there’s an extreme amount of attention towards the STEM subjects.”

Many areas do not have exposure to the Arts. How can we make changes to give opportunity to everyone?

“Through proper funding, fundraisers and government programs we can provide an arts education to the less fortunate.”

Explain how the Arts did or did not impact your childhood (high school or prior). What school subjects did you most prefer? Least prefer?

“The arts impacted my childhood because I learned how to play the guitar and drums. I enjoyed electives the most, like General Music, but I disliked foreign languages and English.”

How do STEM subjects prepare a student for the real world?

“They give you the tools to handle real life situations such as logic, concrete evidence, and decision-making skills.”

How does or doesn’t the Arts prepare a student for the real world?

“It opens new pathways for alternative thinking by promoting creative and out-of-the-box methods that are not taught through traditional stem subjects.”

Would you say that both the Arts and STEM subjects are needed to be successful? Or is one more important then the other?

“Both of them are required to be successful and are equally important.”

I had the opportunity to interview (via email) Brian Lloyd, the current head of the International Baccalaureate Music Program at the Downingtown STEM Academy. He shared below his views on STEM subjects versus the Arts.

Can you explain your current career(s) and educational achievement/degrees?

“My name is Brian Lloyd. I am the Choral Director, Head of Recording Studio and the Lead of the International Baccalaureate Music Program at the Downingtown STEM Academy. I have been teaching music for approximately 15 years.  I  hold a bachelor of science in music education and a master’s degree in instructional design: leadership in integrating technology in instruction.  I am currently working on a PhD also in instructional design.”

Do you feel that the importance of the Arts (Art, Music, theater, etc.) is often overlooked when deciding the important subjects in a curriculum? Why or Why not?

“There are times that the arts are overlooked.  Schools and communities are data driven which is why standardized testing maintains importance.  There is countless research about the benefits of a robust arts program.”

Is there too much attention towards STEM subjects?

“Yes, it has become a bandwagon for schools and communities to jump on.  In our district, I was not permitted to teach a STEM pathway because of my music specialty.  It would have been a great time working with my colleagues in a class like iMedia.”

Many areas do not have exposure to the Arts. How can we make changes to give opportunity to everyone? Why or Why not?

“Research is being done to help this point.  With the number of computers with internet connectivity in homes, web-based instruction is becoming more readily available to people in remote locations.  I just recently read a journal article about Canada’s use of distance learning and it touched on this.”

Explain how the Arts did or did not impact your childhood (high school or prior). What school subjects did you most prefer? Least prefer?

“I was the kid that was always in the music room every chance I had.  I took every music class that was offered.  The other courses that I enjoyed the most were spanish, physics and chemistry.  My least favorite subject was English.”

How do STEM subjects prepare a student for the real world?

“I do not believe that it is the subjects that prepare a student.  There are so many factors related to this question.  A student chooses classes based upon what he/she wants as a career.  The teacher creates a learning environment that will prepare the student for that career.  The other piece is a whole-school mission like our STEM Academy- Effort equals intelligence.  We also use “growth mindset” quite frequently with our students and teachers as well.  We are not satisfied and continue to challenge ourselves to be better.  ALL of these factors prepare students for the real world.”

How does the Arts prepare a student for the real world?

“The arts are a vital part of being human.  It is difficult to put into words with the time that I have to respond to this email.  I did a quick search for some quotes that may help you with this question.  Click here.”

Would you say that both the Arts and STEM subjects are needed to be successful? Or is one more important then the other?

“Yes, students need to have a full education.  Anything less is a disservice to everyone.”

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

“It was my pleasure.”

Read the Original Article Here!

The article, “Disadvantages of Art Schools,” discusses the cons of Art schools, more specifically art classes.

As a precursor, the article mainly refers to the visual arts and the way classes are typically taught. The article also only touches upon the disadvantages and does not cover the advantages.

Some of the topics discussed include

• Bad Art Teachers
• Expectation to Conform
• Starting from the Very Beginning
• Limited Freedom of Expression
• Art Promotion or the Business of Art
• Costs

Bad Art Teachers: The article references the idea that occasionally you will get stuck with an art teacher who plays “favorites” or likes some student better then others based on artistic style. While this is true, there are bad teachers everywhere, in ALL subjects, I’d like to point out that art is subjective, and not everyone will like your art. If you’ve ever walked through an art museum or even listened to different genres of music, you won’t necessarily like everything you see or hear. Though art teachers are supposed to grade based on a set of criteria without bias or judgment, were all human beings and subject to our own opinions. Do I think it’s right? No. But as an artist myself, it’s a learning experience.

Expectations to Conform: The next topic covered is the idea that you will be forced to conform at some point in time. This I agree with. In the developing stages of art school, teachers are to teach you the very fundamental basics. During this time you are expected to follow the rules. As an artist, it is your job to decide when to take risks. Granted if you’re in class and you’re being graded on a specific project, I highly suggest you follow the instructions to avoid failure of the task. What I do recommend would be to think about the given assignment and find a way to make it your own while still following the rules. Make yourself standout while still fitting in.

Starting from the Very Beginning: Honestly, this was a given. All artists have to start somewhere, and when you join an art school, unless you have transferred credit, they will assume you don’t know anything. Thus, those who are more advanced will have to stick it out through the basics. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing, because the stronger your basic skills are, the better you can apply them to more complex works.

Limited Freedom of Expression: Going off of my previous statements, because you are stuck in beginner’s art classes temporarily, you will have limited freedom of expression. Realistically, if you have little experience with different styles, techniques, mediums, etc., when you are released into a creatively free class, you can very easily become lost. Yes, it’s terrible to be forced to do projects you’re not necessarily interested in, but in the long-run, it will be beneficial when you are given that freedom.

Art Promotion or the Business of Art: The article does bring up a good point; there is a lack of art classes that teach art in the real world. This is an issue because a lack of marketing and design classes doesn’t show the applicability of art outside of recreational purposes. Currently, there are less and less opportunities to attract the attention of future artists. Society has made it more important to study more structured classes like STEM Subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), when in actuality, the job industry calls for more creative people.

Expenses: Finally, the arts are an expensive endeavor. Whether it’s art classes or music and theater, each of the arts requires an investment. Some will have to pay for private voice or instrument lessons, while other will spend their paycheck on art supplies. To go to an art school specifically requires an even higher tuition expense then a standard school. This is your own choice, of whether or not it’s worth the risk of spending that much on something you love and want to do.

In general, I thought the article provides a thorough list of disadvantages. I felt the article could have had a little more analysis about each topic, but it did get the point across that the Arts are not always beneficial.