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S
arah Knuppel wasn’t
pleased when she pondered
the future of arts education.
he kept reading about school
district after school district trim-
ming, even eliminating, funding
for the arts because of budget
concerns.
She decided, therefore, to take
actions to try and ensure our chil-
dren continue to be exposed to
art in all of its forms. She doesn’t
want to ponder what the arts will
look like when those children
become adults.
“I just felt like, with so many
arts programs being cut from
the schools, something needs
to be done, especially for the
younger kids. These kids need
an outlet. They need to discover
what talents they have and how
then to pursue them. I want these
kids to see they can realize their
dreams,” Knuppel said.
That is why she founded
the Inspired Arts Academy in
Morton last April and hopes it
will become a springboard for
many area youth to pursue the
kind of art they want, be it visual
arts, dance, music or theatre. All
those forms are being taught by
Knuppel and other teachers at the
academy located at 316 S. Main
St. in Morton.
Right away she had 65 students
for classes and she now has 50
in the various arts camps being
held this summer at the academy.
She also has some adult classes,
including one that teaches sign
language, but the academy
focuses on children 18 months to
6th grade, she said.
“Children are never really too
young to start learning,” Knuppel
said.
The mission statement of the
Inspired Arts Academy is not
unlike the one Knuppel wrote for
herself as she prepared to enter
the world of teaching a dozen
years ago. “Inspiring a child to
learn to their fullest potential and
to impact them to believe in who
and what they are,” the mission
statement read.
Knuppel explained that she
believes teaching is inspiring.
“Inspiration occurs when a child
understands that someone cares
and is willing to go the extra
mile to see him or her succeed
in learning,” she wrote in the
mission statement. “My team of
teachers and I will go that extra
mile and will teach each child
with respect and dignity. We will
inspire children to believe in their
talents and abilities and will be
their lifelong advocates behind all
their dreams and future accom-
plishments.
“We will impact their lives by
being consistent, positive role
models and will help them see
the value in their life,” she said.
36
thePeorian.com
Closing the Gap
Morton academy aims to
ensure a future with art
By Paul Gordon
The Future
Sarah Knuppel talks with one of her youngest art
students as he paints in her new studio in Morton
called the Inspired Arts Academy. Knuppel
hopes the academy, which will teach several art
forms to students from age 18 months on up, will
become a springboard for many budding artists of
the future.