The Forgotten Art of Teaching the Arts

Penny Swift, executive director of Education Through Music, writes that she champions a new emphasis on ensuring students have access to an in-school, qualified arts instructor.

This new emphasis is obtained from the City Controller Scott Stringer's report on New York City's creative economy. The report finds that "an astonishing 12% of all creative industry jobs in the United States are located within the five boroughs — compared to less than 3% of all jobs nationally."

Among the report's recommendations for capitalizing on and broadening this growth is to "ensure that every New York City school has access to a full-time arts educator."

As a former educator and an education advocate, Swift finds it reassuring that creative career opportunities may exist for every single child who wants to pursue them. She also addresses educational segregation perpetuates workplace and societal segregation.

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