The Value of the Arts
In case you haven’t heard, the Arts programs at ESA are just PHENOMENAL! I hope you had a chance to see the musical production of Hairspray. What a beautiful production and a great job by the cast, band and crew. This past weekend, three ESA students, Grace Kerns, Victoria Andry and Carter Broussard earned awards in the fine arts section of the State Literary Rally competition. Congratulations also go out to Danielle Broussard, Claire Pham, Elsa Ramsay, Victoria Andry, Grace Kerns, Brittany Chen, Jillian Chen, Tana Gauthier and Carter Broussard for their works which were selected for LSU's juried art show. Over 130 pieces were submitted and 60 pieces were selected for the show. Of the 8 awards given across the State, ESA students received 3 of them! Danielle Broussard received 2nd place for her ceramics piece. Carter Broussard received 3rd place for his photograph, and Elsa Ramsay received an honorable mention for her drawing. We celebrate the awards and the performances, but just like in athletics, the extrinsic rewards are not the goal. We put a lot of resources into fine and performing arts not for the awards but for what those programs do for our students. There are dozens of studies that demonstrate the connection between the arts and academic achievement, but even that is not the reason we emphasize the arts. Our students engage in the arts because it is personally rewarding, essentially doing art for its own sake. This intrinsic motivation aligns really well with our motto, Excellence from Within (Arete in Greek). My wife, Lauren, teaches violin using the Suzuki philosophy. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, who founded the philosophy, talked about music this way (taught well, any of the arts can substitute here):
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.”
I would add confidence to that list. It takes a lot of determination and guts to get up on a stage, or to make something from nothing and then ask others to critique your work. All of these experiences instill in our students the values of hard work and perseverance, a healthy growth mindset, and a beautiful heart.
Don’t forget to put the next three Arts Events on your calendar—The Senior Art Show in Henton Chapel (April 13-17, opening reception on Monday April 13th from 6-8 pm), the Lower School Art Showcase at the Lafayette Campus on Friday evening April 17th and the Lower School Musical, Seussical, on Friday May 1 at the Henton Chapel.
Don’t forget to put the next three Arts Events on your calendar—The Senior Art Show in Henton Chapel (April 13-17, opening reception on Monday April 13th from 6-8 pm), the Lower School Art Showcase at the Lafayette Campus on Friday evening April 17th and the Lower School Musical, Seussical, on Friday May 1 at the Henton Chapel.
Episcopal School of Acadiana
Episcopal School of Acadiana is a private coeducational day school for students in grades PK3 through 12. Our mission is to instill in every student the habits of scholarship and honor.
Episcopal School of Acadiana (Lafayette Campus)
Episcopal School of Acadiana (Cade Campus)
ESA does not discriminate on the basis of physical disability, race, religion, gender, or national or ethnic origin.
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