The Drawing Studio keeps arts education alive
By Karen R. Smith
Tucson Green Times – May 2010
When faced with the choice of mathematics or painting because there isn’t money for both, schools choose math. At senior centers, the choice forced by dwindling funding can be meals or drawing supplies.
Even if Proposition 100 passes on May 18, and Tucson Schools do receive funding generated from the one percent sales tax increase, that funding won’t go to saving threatened arts programs in schools.
These harsh realities might have led to a dearth of artistic experiences in Tucson, but The Drawing Studio is leading the way in providing award-winning alternative arts education programs for youth and seniors this summer.
The Drawing Studio (TDS) has been a fixture in Tucson for decades. Andrew Rush, now the education director, and 20 artist friends founded TDS in 1992 with the goal of offering arts instruction and interaction outside of traditional academic environments. Steady growth and community support led TDS to incorporate as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization 10 years ago. Since then, TDS has offered an ever-expanding assortment of programs that help Tucsonans of all ages benefit from the creative arts. Instructors are all working artists who are paid as independent contractors to teach, and four of the staff are salaried.
This summer, two community outreach programs TDS has developed are operating throughout the city and open to two groups of Tucsonans most affected by budget cuts: children and seniors. In April, TDS received the prestigious 2010 Governor’s Art Award for outstanding arts-based community programs, in recognition of its Art of Summer Youth Program and Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors (OATS).
Summer Art for Youth & Teens
TDS’ Art of Summer programs include classes, art immersion series at the downtown studio, workshops, outreach to local elementary schools and more for ages 9-18. Need-based full and partial scholarships make the tuition programs accessible to all. Free community outreach programs may be grant funded or accomplished in conjunction with other nonprofit organizations. Grant funding made TDS’ outreach program possible, and brought artist educators and materials to the Utterback Magnet Middle School. TDS’s ongoing collaboration with the Symphony Women’s Association provides a September art show of youth work at the Music Building.
“Our classes will enable students of all ages to grow and excel long-term” says TDS Executive Director Lynn Fleischman “This summer is an ideal time to begin.”
Betina Fink, an experimental oil-painter with a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona, is the studio’s Youth Programs Coordinator. She says children gain a host of benefits from spending the summer in a creative environment with their peers.
“The diversity of each class brings kids new insights and new friendships; the synergy of those relationships, combined with expert instruction, develops an environment of successful exploration in the creative arts,” says Fink.
Art for Seniors
Another award-winning program offer by TDS takes creative arts to senior citizens at various locations around town. Senior centers, public libraries, assisted-living facilities – all have served as gathering places for the Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors (OATS) program.
“When we began to look at a way to bring arts to Tucson’s senior citizens, we quickly realized that many would be unable to travel to a specific central location,” says Fleischman. That led TDS to form alliances with the many public and private entities around town that serve the elderly.
This program is largely grant and donor funded, but Fleischman explains that many people, seniors included, often value more those things they pay for, even if they are only able to pay a small amount. “Many participants derive a level of personal dignity and confidence by paying some small amount for these classes,” she says.
Recognition and Support for the TDS Mission
The Drawing Studio has been recognized with a slew of awards over the past two years. In addition to receiving the 2010 Governor’s Award, the studio also has been recognized with a Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which supports the Youth Program. In 2009 the studio was one of four organizations in Arizona to receive a Recovery and Reinvestment Grant from the NEA to help create jobs for teaching artists in the Youth and OATS programs.
TDS founder and director Andrew Rush was recipient of the Buffalo Exchange Arts Awards in 2009, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to arts in our community through education, organization and advocacy. Rush is gratified at the success of the studio in carrying out his vision and original mission.
“Through instruction in the arts, we cultivate visual intelligence in people of any age,” he says, noting that the five-year-old and the 85-year-old will enjoy what TDS has to offer, as will every age in between – students enrolled in the current classes include all ages.
Art for Everyone
In addition to the classes for youth and seniors, many adults seeking a creative outlet are enrolled in TDS’ classes, as well as local college and university students. There are offerings for virtually every visual art discipline, from fundamentals of drawing, to composition and color mixing, watercolor, oil painting and sculpture and levels range from beginning to advanced. There are also ongoing open studios providing community artists and aspiring artist a place to practice and improve their skills.
For a complete class schedule, locations for the OATS program, member enrollment forms and scholarship applications, visit online: www.thedrawingstudio.org or stop by the studio and pick up a printed schedule.
Author: Karen Smith is a local freelance writer.
New music school for youth to fill void in wake of cutbacks in education funds
Tucson, Ariz. – When Corey Ferrugia was laid off from his TUSD teaching job last year, he might have become depressed or bitter. Instead, he looked at our community as a whole and started to think about what he could give back.
As a musician and former elementary school teacher, he was alarmed by the continued cuts in music education and worried about the long-term effect of those cutbacks. So Ferrugia re-invented himself in a new entrepreneurial role, launching MyTown Music, a music education center for students ages 8-18.
MyTown Music will focus on “picking up where the education system has left off,” Ferrugia explains. The curriculum includes music history and appreciation, composing, and ensemble playing at every skill level. Professional musicians will teach the programs, ensuring that students receive expert instruction. A grand opening gala in April funded teaching materials, and the staff is gratefully accepting donations from the community of musical instruments and individual gifts as well.
During the start-up phase of MyTown Music, Ferrugia secured the help of interns from the UofA’s Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team. SIFE is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for business students to work as interns at local businesses and learn entrepreneurial skills firsthand.
“I’m very excited to be able to help a local business get started, especially one that will help area youngsters pursue their musical interests,” says Kristal Curnett, intern and co-president of SIFE, who will graduate from the UA Eller College of Management this month.
SkyView High School, on Wrightstown Road, will generously house MyTown Music’s summer classes. Classes will begin at the end of May and a discounted tuition is being offered for the first session enrollment. For complete information visit online www.mytownmusicschool.com
