The Arts Deserves More Funding Than Athletics

Written By:
Chris Roe

Published:
Dec. 18 2009

Springbrook is known for its signature program in sciences and international studies.  With a two-time state championship winning basketball team, some of the best wrestlers in the state, and many more athletic accomplishments; there is certainly a lot of bragging right to give.  But is that all we have to show for?
From painting, photography, music and writing, art allows an outburst of expression in so many different forms.  However, the art department is heavily underrated amongst all the attention and glory that spotlights the athletics.  Although our hard-working athletic teams do well to bring home pride from winning games, the arts can still serve as a way to bring in pride, as well.
James Hubert Blake High School is known for their signature arts program and Paint Branch High School is widely known for their medical training.  All three schools have sports; as well as almost every other high school in the nation.  Maybe if Springbrook had more funding to build up the arts department, the school could show off not only athletics and academics, but also a great art program.  That is the full package. Sports teams do not set the school apart from the crowd of other schools.
People spend over 12 years of their lives in school to prepare for the future; hopefully to acquire the skills they need to get a job doing what they love to do.  Surely, those who play sports genuinely love what they do.  But will they still be able to play in their old age? With arts, one can be working and doing what one loves as long as they are still mentally stable and able to move.  It is a way to express oneself and share it with others. In sports one has to follow the rules and the crowd cheers.  There is not much creativity and expression to that.
Athletic teams are not even part of a school curriculum, but rather are extracurricular activities that one can take part in.  Art classes such as photography, studio art and even our very own Blueprint are all classes in which one can partake during the school day and earn credits from.  Works of art or literature, or even fashion design can be used and enjoyed by not just the artist, but also those around them.  Sports are enjoyed by spectators also, but in a more monotone fashion with games and plays being set in stone and at times wins being set up merely by chance and luck.  Why go through the extra costs of funding an after school activity over a class offered during the day for all students?
Sports will be here forever, and at every other high school.  They will survive without new uniforms every year and a withering field.  Funding for the arts can make Springbrook  better-rounded and show that it is a great high school for students wanting to enter a vast variety of fields.  It is simple to say that a great and booming arts department is not easy to find anymore; but any other football or field hockey team is not so unique.