Do you know that by the time people (*all people) reach middle school, almost 85% of their inherent, natural curiosity and wonder has been stripped away?
- It’s a systemic problem. We don’t place enough value on creative thought and curiosity is often viewed as inconvenient.
- It’s an educational problem. Our model of memorization and rote response is highly detrimental.
- It’s a capitalist problem. Curious people and people who are habitually wondrous are harder to place in funnels and boxes.
It should be alarming to all of us and we should all be striving for massive, structural change.
Why are curiosity and wonder important? Because they directly and positively impact everything from the environment, to science and medicine, to humanity and humility, to education and economics, and everything in between. The “Let’s Look At This a Different Way” and the “Let’s See What Happens When We Try This Instead” crowds are saving lives. They are helping to preserve the air we breathe and the water we drink. They are leading the charge in social and economic justice. The “I’m Going to Do This How It’s Always Been Done” crowd and the “Just Tell Me What To Do” crowd don’t have as much to offer.
Self Esteem Through Art is a program that nurtures and celebrates wonder. It’s a program that strives to keep curiosity and inquisitive thinking alive. It’s a program that fosters independence and individuality.
The arts are integral to stoking those essential fires that typically burn out too soon. Want to learn more? Book a private session? Enroll in a class? Work with me to create a custom program or workshop? Send me a message.