100% Agreement

Sharing art and performing in front of peers is an incredibly vulnerable and courageous act. After developing and practicing a piece of work, presenting to the community gives the ability for others to see a different aspect of students and is a culmination of time put in. When art is appreciated and celebrated, everyone benefits. However, when students take the time to share work, and it is not taken seriously, this has the opposite effect.

Situations where performance is disrespected and laughed at cause the whole community to suffer. It creates an environment of fear when it comes to art, and discourages students from being vulnerable again. Take, as an example, the Nov. 11 assembly, when choir students performed two songs in front of the upper school, a culmination of a half-day workshop in collaboration with Blake. Singers spent the day performing for peer choirs, learning from their director’s vision and approach, and bringing that energy to share with the audience. In the beginning, choir director Tim Kraak had to pause the performance to remind students to be good audience members because of laughter and snickers. The disruptions distracted performers and viewers alike, and detracted from the overall performance, shifting the focus from the performers to the audience.

This could have been different.

When students embrace risks and performance, it fosters an environment of creativity and support. When audiences recognize that creativity takes us all to new places, listens openly, and shows appreciation, it comes back to them: to the audience member who understands their Biology lab partner better after hearing their voice; to the audience member who decides to attend an a capella club meeting or register for second semester choir; to the audience member who hears a familiar song in a new way.

Being able to take things in with empathy is a skill. As an audience member, imagine how it would feel to be the one on stage in front of over 400 classmates, teachers and faculty. Even if it may not specifically resonate with you, embrace it and look beyond, to the care people put into their passions.

The arts are rich at SPA; whether it’s an impromptu performance of the faculty band, a song at the Homecoming variety show, the fall play, a student show open house in the Drake Art gallery, creative risk is welcomed and celebrated here. Engaging with arts allows students to view different perspectives in a unique way and exercises critical analysis skills. Science even shows that viewing art boosts dopamine in the brain.

Seek out opportunities to appreciate performing and visual art on campus: at plays, musicals, concerts, the Drake gallery and more, and let students know their dedication and talent is noticed. The upcoming Pops concert on Dec 5 and 6 is an opportunity to demonstrate support of musicians in the community. So is the student showcase The Everything Bagel opening this week in Drake.

And as an artist, acknowledge what it takes to be the one in the spotlight. The harsh critic, rude audience — both of these say more about the person than about you or the work. Don’t sell the effort short. Even in the face of adversity, remain courageous and others will follow suit. Performing and sharing builds confidence, perseverance and connection, all values that are beneficial to almost every aspect of life.

We all benefit when art is appreciated and supported. Look out for art in the community and show up. Respectfully engage with peers and their art, show that the community cares. Seek out creative spaces and maybe consider taking a risk and being the one on display.