Cause And Effect Essay, Research Paper

In recent centuries, education has fueled the advancement and popularity of art. Art has always been a favorite pastime of connoisseurs and commoners alike. But not until recently has it really broken into American mainstream culture and entitled this beautiful form of expression become available to all of us. Typically, art was reserved for those of nobility and privilege. Fortunately, with the acceleration of art in our educational system it is now a standard practice readily available to anyone.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, art was stereotyped as a feminine hobby and had no place in an American mans world. Still today, many believe that art is not very becoming of manhood and therefore do not considered it very masculine resulting in the destruction of many promising careers. Not until the mid 20th century has art taken on a new and boundless objective. Art has infiltrated every level of the American educational system and has become an inspiration to men and women, children and adults alike. “…Art in all its distinct forms defines, in many ways, those qualities that are at the heart of education reform in the 1990’s — creativity, perseverance, a sense of standards, and, above all, a striving for excellence (Riley, Richard). To give you an example of how long it has taken art to become considered mainstream I will use Rutgers University, New Brunswick. As one the oldest universities (founded in 1766) in the country, Rutgers has been successful in many areas of academics, athletics, social and community contributions, but not until 1976 was a school opened just for the arts. In 1976 Mason Gross was opened and afforded students the opportunity to pursue a career in the arts. Since its establishment, Mason Gross School of the Arts has produced many prevalent artists like Calista Flockhart, the star and leading actress of Ally McBeal.

Because of programs like Mason Gross and the Julliard School people have been given an opportunity to follow their hearts desire. Not everyone wants to grow up and be an accountant, teacher or fireman. How ironic is it that these same people who bash art and say it is not for men are the same people that watch movies like Goodfellas or Casino, because they like the macho Italian mobster. Do you think they took a moment to realize that Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino are all actors and practice in the form of modern cinematic art?

Works Cited

Riley, Richard – U.S. Secretary of Education. Arts Education and School Improvement Resources for Local and State Leaders

27 June 2001 .