By Dalton Johnson, Staff Writer
Every year some schools must make the unfortunate decision to cut funding. This can take the form of cutting sports funds, lunch funds or reducing teacher pay among other things. Most often however, arts programs are the first programs to be on the chopping block for funding cuts. Some people do not see a need for arts programs and do not see the benefit it offers to students. Arts programs, however, can benefit students in ways that will impact them for the rest of their lives; one of those ways is academically.
According to the website “Public School Review,” in an article published in December 2019, students who are involved in the arts perform better academically. The website cites an “Arts Education Partnership” study that found that students involved in the arts have an increased proficiency in math as well as reading and an increase in verbal SAT scores. This is not the only way students can be impacted by the arts. Low income students also benefit from the arts.
Student involved in the arts can also get out of there social shell. One of those students is music education major and Iowa Lakes Sophomore Camden Mckinney. Mckinney attended Estherville high school
“During high school I came in just being in band; and I was the freshman that was never talkative,” said Mckinney.
As Mckinney went on in high school he found himself becoming more involved in the different fine art programs.
“I joined choir my sophomore year and started doing theatre stuff my junior year,” he said.
Mckinney said he gained multiple friends while being involved in the arts. He mentioned he does not know what kind of person he would be without the arts.
Teachers who teach fine arts programs also say that their ensembles teach their students that everybody is important. Carol Ayres, band director at Iowa Lakes Community College, emphasized this.
“Everybody knows the 2nd trombone player is just as important as the 4th trombone player; you can’t go without one,” said Ayres.
“In Jazz band there is only one to a part, so everyone is important,” she said. Ayres compared this to positions in a baseball or softball team.
“If you’re a baseball player or a softball player and if all of the sudden you don’t have a second baseman, you’re really out,” said the long-time band instructor.
Ayres also said that students involved in the arts become like a family.
“We work together as a team and we become this close-knit family; we accept everyone,” said Ayres.
Ayres also mentioned that the fine arts, specifically music can have long lasting impacts on students.
“I heard a five-star general in the air force talk about music people. He said that if he was in a plane, he would want a band person in the co-pilot seat; because we don’t get to take time outs,” said Ayres.
Music students, according to Ayres, are also big problem solvers.
“We’re instantly problem solving and trying to fix what we’re doing,” she said.
As for people who still do not see the benefit of putting money towards the arts, Ayres had some things to say about that.
“All I think people need to do is look at covid,” she said.
“All of the sudden the world shut down and what did people turn to; music,” said Ayres.
The long-time instrumental teacher also said that funding the arts creates tomorrows leaders.
“It creates great leaders, great doctors and lawyers,” she said.
“Most of the important people in the world have been involved in a choir or an orchestra at one time or another,” she said.
The arts are an important aspect of a student’s education. The arts have so many benefits for students who are involved. They create better individuals in our world and help to change students for the better.
Call of the Lake 
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