Keeping the Arts in Liberal Arts
By KATHRYN MOHRMAN
rivolous. Unnecessary. Expensive. Impractical. These are the reactions of some to the visual and performing arts in a college education. But don't underestimate the power and value of learning through and about the arts.
"Our humanity" was the phrase a leading educator used recently to describe the arts. "The arts provide a more comprehensive and insightful education because they invite students to explore the emotional, intuitive, and irrational aspects of life that science is hard-pressed to explain," he argues. "By putting us in touch with our own and other people's feelings, the arts teach one of the great civilizing capacities - how to be empathetic."
At Colorado College, we believe firmly that the arts are an essential ingredient for a well-rounded education. And that is why our philosophy is to make the arts accessible to all of our students - those who have never had any exposure and those who hope to pursue artistic careers.
Imagine the lasting of impact of our students who have had these opportunities: developing and implementing a dance, drama, and arts program for senior citizens in Colorado Springs to increase the quality of life for disabled seniors; performing orchestral music in concert in Japan and participating in the Fuji International Youth Musicale; and interviewing residents of the San Luis Valley in order to reproduce the dramatic piece "La Barraca" by Garcia Lorca.
Where will this kind of study lead? We expect our graduates to assume professional and personal leadership. Among the many things we expect is for them to develop a well-reasoned moral and ethical sense, to take responsibility for their actions, and have the courage to make tough decisions. We expect them to understand our American heritage, understand other peoples and cultures, exercise tolerance and mutual respect, and contribute to society. We want them to expand their intellectual curiosity and nurture a passion for lifelong learning.
The arts are an important vehicle to share our impressions of the world, and to help draw a more complete picture of that world. It's not called the liberal arts for nothing.