"Tax dollars should not be wasted on art, music or theater classes in high school. Public high schools should be about training young people to enter the workforce. Period."
This statement is offensive in many ways. It assumes several things about the arts. First of all, this statement assumes that art, music, or theater are not related to the "workforce". It is saying that schools should be focusing on other classes that are related to the workforce. Little do they know, art, music, or theater makes up a large part of the workforce. There is no job that is 100% successful or reliable, but art, music, and theater is still part of the workforce.
Second of all, this statement assumes that money is being wasted on this group of classes in high school. Students who take art, music, or theater create pieces of work that can later bring back revenue for the school. The art program at most high schools have the students create original pieces of work that can be bought buy outside sources. The music department travels to perform where they attract several audience members at sporting events, competitions, and more. The theater department puts on shows where money is brought in by audience members who attend the performances. Money is not being wasted when these programs are bringing money back in at the same time.
Third of all, high school is all about finding yourself and figuring out what you want to do after you graduate. These artistic departments contain some of the most creative and laid back mentors that allow the students to become an individual while learning important content. Students taking art, music, or theater classes learn more life lessons than most students in regular core classes. Students in these classes learn to take initiative, experiment outside their comfort zone, and create a name for themselves.
Without the art departments at public high schools, students would not be prepared at all for the workforce. Period.
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