PRESIDENT'S GREETING

PRESIDENT'S GREETING FOR MARCH
Sorrow and a sense of forboding fill me this evening as I sit to write this greeting. I try to be upbeat but the current budget crisis ripping a hole in the profession I so proudly pursue each day has me feeling defensive, scared and angry. As artist educators we are especially sensitive to the need to advocate for our profession. Arts educators are always advocating and promoting what they do. It is disheartening to think that all we've worked for could be diminished by these sweeping cuts.

Some of us may be facing the ultimate sacrifice in the coming months-losing our jobs, while others may be asked to take on increased class sizes and responsibilities for reduced compensation and quality programs. Through all of this we will be asked to remain professional and think about the kids and think about the day to day demands of our jobs. I have participated in the rallies and protests, shouting, marching, and hoping and even praying that it might do some good. I felt invigorated after the first weekend. It seemed remarkable and inspiring to see so many of my fellow union employees marching and banding together. I remember not long ago the union in my district bemoaning how uninvolved our membership was. That has changed greatly since this crisis has started.

I think that call to action is really what I want to discuss with you this month. Why do you belong to an organization like MATA? What is it you hope to get out of this organization? To me being a member means being actively involved. I am in my second board term. I served as a member at large before and with this time around I am serving as your President and also as your web designer. What have you done to be involved in this organization? To me the group is only as strong as its active parts.

When unions activated and got their members involved over the past few weeks it inspired people to look for a way to fight for their beliefs and to advocate for what they hold precious and dear. While we are all facing uncertainty there is an up side to this. It has mobilized the unions and empowered a movement for rights of the people. It is an opportunity for us to let the world know how important the arts and education really are, regardless of the budget outcomes. If you are a passionate artist educator I know you believe in advocacy. I know you are probably putting in countless extra hours especially this month to celebrate and call attention to the arts in your school as it is Youth Art Month this March.

I call on you to dig deep and consider serving this organization. Do you hold it as dear and vital to your practice as an artist educator? I especially challenge our newer members to consider serving the organization by becoming a member of the board. If you joined this summer, but haven't participated yet in any events consider participating in our Spring Membership exhibit. We will only survive as a VITAL organization if we have active membership who are passionate about the group and its beliefs. Share your time and talents and consider joining us for the events we have planned in spring and summer. Photograph your own Youth Art Month activities and share them with me via the MATA membership news form. Please consider becoming more actively involved in this fantastic organization. My thoughts are with all of you as we face our uncertain futures with hope (nasty rumors have been flying at my school too!). If we stick together we will be stronger and will survive all of this.

Jeanne

 

Archive of President's Greetings for 2010-11

September 2010 Web 2.0 Technology in the Art Classroom

October 2010 Literacy and Visual Literacy

Novemer 2010 Thanksgiving Quiet

December 2010 Winter Solstice and Time for Being An Artist

January 2011 Vacation to California and Revitalizing in the Sun

February 2011 Art and Technology