Voices
Closing the Gap
- Details
- Published on Monday, 02 July 2012 15:32
- Written by Paul Gordon
Morton academy aims to ensure a future with art
Sarah Knuppel wasn't pleased when she pondered the future of arts education. She kept reading about school district after school district trimming, even eliminating, funding for the arts because of budget concerns.
She decided, therefore, to take actions to try and ensure our children 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 accomplishments.
"We will impact their lives by being consistent, positive role models and will help them see the value in their life," she said.
Yes, that is a mission statement, but one conversation with Knuppel shows she means what she says. She is like many teachers who see the financial struggles the education system faces each year and the threat to arts education that results.
"It worries me, sure. It should worry every parent. I want to do what I can to see our kids — mine, yours, everybody's — get the education and instruction they need," she said.
Knuppel began taking dance classes at age 3 and continued through college. When she began teaching special needs classes, "I just felt like something was missing. At first I couldn't put my finger on it."
Later, as she thought about pursing her dream of opening a dance studio, she realized what it was that was missing. "I felt I needed to find a way to combine fine arts with my hobby and my profession. The idea kept growing as I talked to people about it and other teachers approached me about what they could offer and I think now, it has become something that is really pretty cool," she said.
"It's certainly not just another dance studio," she added.
Other instructors at the Inspired Arts Academy include Maggie McMenamin, who teaches theatre classes and is also the Morton Youth Theatre director; Julie Walker, the owner of Music Together and a teacher; Audra Metesis, who teaches art, and Cynthia Brennan, who is the fitness instructor for children and adults.
Knuppel explained she is big on fitness and believes that also is something children need to learn early on.
"Good fitness instruction encourages mind, body and soul. There is a good tie-in there," she said.
Among the dance instruction is ballet, jazz movement, tap and hip hop. Competitive dance is part of the plan, as well.
Theatre instruction includes acting, play writing, and improvisation.
Music instruction includes voice, violin, guitar and other instruments.
Art instruction includes paint, sculpture, sketch and mixed-media.
Knuppel said aside from classes at the Academy she wants to partner with area schools to offer after-school instruction in genres not being covered by the schools.
That, she said, will be one form of giving back to the community. "That is important to me because through my life I have been fortunate enough to be able to pursue my dreams. I want to help others do that," she said.
Another way of giving back will be charitable donations, either in funds or in-kind contributions. Every spring, Knuppel said, the Inspired Arts Academy will have a concert with proceeds going to a charity the Academy will choose.
It also will have children's events with proceeds going to The Penguin Project, which each year presents a musical at Eastlight Theatre in which children with special needs make up the cast. Students of Inspired Arts Academy theatre classes will have the opportunity to assist with The Penguin Project, she added.
The academy has scheduled a performance of "The Lion King" at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at Idlewood Park in Morton. It will be the kickoff to the academy's fall schedule, Knuppel said. Registration for fall classes is open.
Knuppel said all information about the academy can be found on its website, www.inspiredartsacademy.com and she encourages those interested in what the academy offers to register for its free newsletter.
