Spring 2015 Arts & Culture Candidate Surveys: Inglewood Unified School District 5
Candidate order: Henry C. Brown, D’Artagnan Scorza
As part of its work to connect voters and candidates, Arts for LA presents these Arts & Culture Candidate Surveys to promote dialogue around issues related to arts education and its benefits.
Survey responses provided by each candidate are for voter information purposes only. Arts for LA does not endorse candidates seeking office. We are committed to fostering respectful, nonpartisan dialogue about issues relating to arts and culture. For more information, please read about our mission and values or our FAQ.
All eligible candidates were contacted to participate in the survey. If you would like to submit new or revise existing responses, please contact Cristina Pacheco at [email protected] or 213-225-7580.
The Actors Fund, KCET Artbound, California Alliance for Arts Education, LA2050, LA STAGE Alliance, Latino Arts Network, Otis College of Art and Design, and the Social & Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) served as Regional Partners by promoting Arts & Culture Candidate Surveys throughout Los Angeles County.
Voting for Inglewood Unified School District Board of Education - District 5 will be held on Tuesday, April 7.
1 seat is available in this election.
For more information on where to vote, visit the Los Angeles County Clerk/Registrar-Recorder’s Office website.
Question 1: Tell us about a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music) while growing up? (Approximately 75-100 words)
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I was fortunate enough to have grown up in a household with an artist. My mother was a fantastic singer and in the 9th grade in high school, I was able to study the piano. I had gotten pretty good until our music program was cut and my family couldn’t afford to purchase a keyboard or lessons so I could practice at home. I loved learning music and for a second, was good at it. These experiences taught me the value of music education, art and investing in our schools. Because art and music programs are underfunded, many children go without opportunities to become the next Mozart, Paul Robeson or Fela. My commitment is to ensure that all children have access to music and art education, regardless of where they live or how much their families make.
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Question 2: What role do you think creativity can play in supporting key priorities of the district, such as reducing the drop out rate, closing the achievement gap, and preparing more students for college eligibility and/or meaningful careers? (Approximately 75-100 words)
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Research has demonstrated that art education increases interest in school, supports positive identity development, has academic benefits and can even help increase attendance, especially in the morning. We've known for years that students have different ways of learning and art instruction unlocks the potential of each and every student. Providing students with a creative way to express themselves and engage the world will give them the edge they need to succeed in school and in life. It also provides opportunities to earn a living in the multi-billion dollar creative industry and to create change as they find the power of their voice.
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Question 3: Inglewood USD district has embarked on an initiative to restore meaningful sequential arts education into its core curriculum. What do you feel are the strengths and the weaknesses of the plan? (Approximately 75-100 words)
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Inglewood Unified School District’s efforts to advance arts and music education with stronger visual and performance arts programming is commendable. However, the district has been challenged with sustaining those efforts, including the arts plan, because of the constant changes in district leadership and the lack of resources. My goal is to restore a focus on arts education and provide leadership that finds a place to incorporate arts and music programming into curriculum and instruction.
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Question 4: How can your district make the Inglewood USD arts education plan, and its progress on the plan, more visible to parents and leaders in your community? (Approximately 75-100 words)
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Inglewood Unified School District can ensure that the plan is made publicly available through various mechanisms (such as the website, at school sites, etc.) and ensure that our community has access to it. We can also give presentations at PTA meetings, host forums and incorporate the plan in our school site council meetings. We can also the various activities called for in the plan with a goal to garner feedback on our progress.
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Question 5: In light of the new funding structure for school districts in the state (i.e. the Local Control Funding Formula), how do you see arts education aligning with the eight new priority areas? (Approximately 75-100)
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As a result of the shift in funding because LCFF, school districts like Inglewood are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the additional funding and support for the arts through the LCAP. Arts can help improve achievement, student engagement and climate, as well as, provide facility enhancements through visual and performing arts centers. It can further encourage parental involvement and strengthen the pipeline to higher education as we produce artists, musicians and scholars who lead the way in the creative industry.
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