Arts Orange County: Arts Education Candidate Survey

By Art Montez

I have both a Master and Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona. I minored in Art. In addition to college, I was exposed to the arts while in grade school.

As a consultant in Latin America I worked on historical and architectural projects, including trying to protect pre-Columbian artifacts.

I also worked as consultant on a task force from the National Endowment of the Arts. I worked on legislation that required community arts organizations that received funding from the National Endowment of the Arts that they had to be open to the public and have boards that was representative of the general public.

My exposure in school and as a consultant, has given me as a member of the Board of Education for Centralia School District, an understanding and appreciation of the importance of having a comprehensive arts curriculum as part of the District's core academic program.

QUESTION NO. 2: What role do you think the arts can play in supporting key education priorities such as closing the achievement gap, reducing the dropout rate and preparing more students for college eligibility and the 21st century workforce?

I know by my own personal experience and exposure to the arts, that those students that are exposed to the arts at a young age and from throughout their school years, that they academically succeed and become outstanding citizens.

Exposure to the arts makes our students better rounded. Besides academic achievement, arts students have higher school attendance, lower drop out rates, higher test scores and less disciplinary problems than the general student body who are not exposed to the arts. They also tend to go to college at a higher rate.

As school sports tend to keep students in school, students involved in the arts also tend to remain in school.

Being exposed to drama, choir, music, and general arts allows our students to become not only creative but improves their self esteem as well.

As a school board member, the Arts will continue to be a major priority of mine.

QUESTION NO. 3: A standards-based arts curriculum is one of the five core subjects in NCLB and critical for developing job skills vital in the creative economy and the 21st century workforce. Yet, most often only "what is tested is taught" in our schools. How do you envision bringing balance back for a comprehensive education and ensuring that all students have access to a quality, standards-based arts education curriculum?

There is no question that having a comprehensive and standards-based art curriculum is essential in developing job skills that will allow our students to become productive members of society and in a global economy.

The arts plays a major part in our core curriculum at Centralia School District. I value it as a board member and I want to do more in exposing our students to the arts.

I fully recognize that students with strong arts backgrounds academically achieve in school. I will continue to ensure that all our students are exposed to the arts while enrolled in Centralia schools. The District has a comprehensive plan for the Arts that are always being updated to ensure that the Arts are incorporated as part of the District's core curriculum.

I am in full agreement that "what is tested is taught" in our schools but we working on ensuring that the Arts is essential for our students in ensuring academic success. As you are aware of, student tests are prepared by outside entities and are outside the control of the District and school board. The District's Arts Program is standard-based and part of the core curriculum.

QUESTION NO. 4: If elected, how will you engage classroom teachers, arts teachers, parents and community arts organizations to shape your agenda for arts education or implement your district's strategic arts plan?

Since 1998, I have been a member of the Board of Education for Centralia School District. Protecting and maintaining the District's Arts Program has always been a major priority of mine. This has especially been more significant as Centralia School District has been faced over the years with less federal and state revenue while having a decline in student enrollment. This has created an environment of the importance of seeking outside funding resources, including developing relationships with Corporate America and local community arts organizations to ensure that our students had access to available arts programs.

Providing professional development opportunities for District staff while continuing a dialogue with community arts organizations is a major priority to ensure that the Arts is a priority. I will continue this relationship.

The arts plays a major part in our core curriculum at Centralia School District. I value it as a board member and I want to do more in exposing our students to the arts.