Washington
Forum on the Future of Our Children
March 28, 2000 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
Forum
Attendees
Linda
C. Byron, The Arts Society of the International Monetary Fund;
L. William Chapin, The American Architectural Foundation; Caroline
Croft, White House Millennium Council; Kae Dakin, Washington
Regional Association of Grantmakers; Rod Daniel, International
Network of Performing and Visual Arts School; Sharon Flynn, Center
for Media Education; Danielle Friedenberg, National Center on
Education and the Economy; Adam Goozh, Createhope.org; Mary Liniger
Hickman, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities; Heidi Hinish,
National Gallery of Art; Robert Lynch, Americans for the Arts:
Dorothy McSweeny, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; Patricia
Mitchell, Fillmore Arts Center; Peter N.G. Schwartz, ValuesFirst
Inc.; Ranya Sihweil, ArtsEdge - John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts; Avideh Shashaani, Fund for the Future of Children.
(Mrs. Harriet Fulbright was unable to attend and chair the meeting).
ICAF staff members attending were Tim Bigelow, Cecily Ferguson,
Sharon Franklin, Ashfaq Ishaq, and Melina Manasse.
Children
and the Digital Revolution
Sharon
Flynn began the discussion with an observation that the Internet
provides an excellent opportunity to provide information and
further the interest of young people in becoming better citizens
and furthering the future of our democracy. The Internet may
curb the current wave of apathy that exists in young people and
open them to ideas on civics and responsibility. Adam Goozh added
that his organization is launching a Website for children to
learn about philanthropy and become familiar at an early age
with the idea of giving to causes they support. Patricia Mitchell
responded that technology is a powerful tool that provides exposure
to technical solutions and that her school includes digital art
in its programs. Rayna Sihweil cautioned that only 2.2 % of the
world are online, and that we should not abandon the more traditional
forms of outreach efforts. It was generally agreed that the Internet
should provide diverse, educational Websites, not just a few
mega commercial sites. It was agreed that children should not
be viewed merely as consumers in the “new economy” but
mechanisms should exist for them to make their own contributions
as well. It was observed that adding a “digital” component
to any proposal opens up new funding sources. The role of the
information overload in the case of children was discussed, as
was the need to develop “filters” for children to process
information.
Children’s
Creativity
Dr.
Ishaq asked the question: What comes after the Digital Revolution,
a Creativity Revolution? Danielle Fridenberg commented that we
cannot forget the importance of the hand and eye connection.
Bill Chapin added that the ability to think through the design
is essential in bridging the technology gap between the digital
and the hand. Because creativity is an intangible, Bob Lynch
observed that it was necessary to shape the policy and advocacy
for philanthropy. Kae Dakin asked whether there existed hard
data on art and creativity. She stated that funders are interested
in results, the behavior changes expected and how success of
each program is measured. Bob Lynch added that Americans for
the Arts offers hard data and research results on the subject
and informed the attendees to make use of the studies available
through the “National Arts Policy Clearing House” and
the publication, “Champions of Change.” Dorothy McSweeny
stated that economic impact studies would be available for DC
very soon. It was observed that programs should include parents
because their involvement is critical, and therefore, parents
need to understand the value of arts education.
Educational
Reform
The
discussion started on the issue that educational reform often
leaves art out of the equation. It was observed that blending
arts education with standards-based education could offer a win-win
situation. Developing motor skills and manual dexterity was considered
vital to the brain’s development. It was commented that
however useful they are, computers cannot “do it all.”
Voices
of the Children
It
was agreed that children’s input is vital at every stage.
It was remarked that children should be considered to sit on
advisory boards of organizations that deal with children. The
value of art education networks such as Arts Education Partnership
and Cultural Advocacy Group was emphasized.
Resolution
Attendees
concurred that the Forum had been beneficial for
them because it brought together diverse organizations
that deal with children issues but do not know each
other’s programs. It was considered important
that each organization know what others were planning.
The Forum offered the opportunity to attendees to
work collectively through partnerships. Caroline
Croft suggested that the Forum convene bi-monthly.
The
next meeting of the Washington Forum will take place
on Tuesday, July 18th from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
at the headquarters of the International Child Art
Foundation (ICAF). Ms. Harriet Mayor Fulbright,
Executive Director, President’s Committee on
the Arts and the Humanities, will chair the meeting.
For further information, please contact Ms. Sharon
R. Franklin at ICAF at (202) 973-8490 or by e-mail:
