Posts Tagged ‘economy’

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In Today’s News

April 8, 2011

The Power of IMAGINATION

In the Bangor Daily News Business section, April 1st, an article entitled The power of IMAGINATION written by Matt Wickenheiser presents the role of creativity and imagination as vital in transforming ideas into reality. For example, Transformit is a business located in Gorham where they design, produce, and install interior tension fabric structures to the high artistic standards of their founder, Cynthia Thompson, MFA. Thompson says: “they put art into business”.  “Research and development for any company going — I don’t care what it is — needs imagination,” she said. “Everyone wants America to be powerful, the key is innovation.”

The article goes on to explain the Imagination Conversation that has been postponed until June being that will be held at USM, Portland campus. Maine and each state in the nation are having Imagination Conversations as part of work from the Lincoln Center in New York City.

I urge you to read the entire article by clicking here and consider writing a letter to the editor with your thoughts on the connections and importance of arts education to developing imagination, creativity, and the future of the Maine economy.

Thank you to Matt Wickenheiser and the Bangor Daily News for permission to link and include the photo in this post.

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Mike Huckabee and Arts Education

April 5, 2011

Remember him?

You probably remember Mike Huckabee as the 44th Governor of Arkansas but did you know that he is a bass player in his rock-n-roll band called Capitol Offense? His passion for music and the importance of music education is evident. He has partnered with NAMM Foundation for the wanna play fund. He and his friends have created a cd that helps fund the wanna play fund. The money raised goes to purchasing musical instruments for children. 

Mike Huckabee has created videos available on YouTube that emphasize the importance of arts education. The first video has clips of Mr. Huckabee and President Clinton, also from Arkansas playing their instruments. Mr. Huckabee worries about people who don’t embrace the arts. This video has information that you might find interesting and useful!

In this second YouTube Mr. Huckabee talks about the value of arts education in today’s learning environment and the importance of teaching so learning develops both the right and left side of the brain. “If we really want kids to be educated we want them to be creative”. Where better can this take place than in the arts classrooms?!

You might want to share these videos with other educators in your building!

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