In an age when arts programs are disappearing faster than invisible ink across the country, one small independent school in Los Angeles is swimming against the tide. After raising over $180,000 in less than a year, it has recently renovated its tired, old art room, overhauled its visual arts syllabus, and added a rich performance arts agenda.
But what makes this achievement remarkable is that this is no affluent private school dominated by celebrity families and movie industry honchos, where donations come easily. St. James' Episcopal School is a small parochial school with fewer than 350 students who represent a rainbow of racial and social and economic diversity. Over sixty percent of its students are non-Caucasian. More than 30 percent receive tuition assistance.
Their achievement -- and in the current economic climate, you can call it no less -- begs the question: how did they do it? And even more importantly, why, with so many other pressing needs for a school, put the money into to the arts?
"I honestly believe that as a culture, we are heavily dependent on art to maintain our civilization," explains the school's new head, Debbi David. "Art makes our spirits soar, it relieves us of the tension that is created by our fast paced society. It gives depth, and breadth and spiritual meaning to the rest of the work that we do.
"It has also been proven through studies that art can actually boost student achievement in other academic areas. Art is something all children need as part of their education."
Ms. David refers to many studies, one of which was carried out in 2008 by the Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium, who assembled neuroscientists from seven universities to study how arts training can enhance academic performance. Their findings showed that young people interested in taking part in art subjects demonstrated increased motivation to learn in other subject areas, and improved cognition.
The school began its campaign last spring. They hijacked the backyard of a historic mansion and turned it into cocktail party, inviting parents, alumni, friends and neighbors. "People so willingly and joyfully opened their hearts and their check books," explains Ms. David. "They felt strongly that the arts needed to be supported.
"We raised about $90,000 for the renovation. But it was only fifty percent of what we needed. So we pulled the trigger for the construction on a wish and a prayer, having sent a letter of intent to the Ahmanson Foundation, in which we described the project and told them how much money we would need to complete it. Six months later, they came through with a grant of $98,000. So we finished to the penny without having to dip into the school reserve coffers. We were truly blessed."
The transformation of a cluttered room with no space, into a full art studio is now complete -- all bar the ribbon cutting ceremony. And it is now setting a trend for other elementary schools in terms of its facilities. "In addition to a program with drawing, painting, and sculpting, crafts and so on, we wanted the children to be able to express themselves using technology as their medium," says Ms. David. "Technology and computer generated art are now fully accepted forms in the art world, so we need to allow elementary school children to use it .
"It's really a gorgeous facility. I've never seen an art room with so much thought put into every drawer, every door handle."
But the St. James' new arts program is not limited simply to the visual arts. "We have just brought in the Los Angeles Academy for the Performing Arts and they will be running after school enrichment classes.
"We have also been able to draw from the great racial diversity from within our own community -- so we have Korean drumming, a gospel choir, flamenco dancing.
"And we have booked a series of performing arts assemblies for the children, with classical piano performances, dance, drums. We had no budget for this, but all the performers are donating their time. And that's a tribute to the commitment of the artists in our community who really believe that children should be exposed to beauty and art and dance."
So what's the secret for other schools?
"Galvanize your parents. Build off of the diversity of your own community. Make that art program your beacon, something that everyone in the school community wants to be proud of. Make donations affordable for everyone. Turn over every stone for funding. And disregard the fact that schools around you are cutting back. Just do it."
The art studio at St. James' is the second major renovation undertaken by its rabid, energetic parents. Just two years ago, a similar effort was undertaken to completely renovate and upgrade its science lab with the help of the Leonetti O'Connell Foundation. After a year of transition, the leadership at St. James' has been taken over by one of Southern California's most notable educators Debbi David, who arrived at St. James' this fall from Marymount in Santa Barbara. Joining the school leadership is the former USC Associate Dean Chris Cook, who will serve as Director of Advancement. He has served as a fund-raising consultant to USC, The Liberty Hill Foundation, GLAAD, GLSEN and People for the American Way. At the time of this posting, St. James' announced plans to expand its campus with a permanent home for its preschool which will be located adjacent to the elementary school.