Artistry In Motion The Edmonton Art Gallery Art Is Creativity Art Is Freedom Of Expression Art Is Contemporary Neoclassical Gothic Modern

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#203, 8912-156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

January XXVIIIth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

From the commentary & pictures by Ms. Simons in today's Edmonton Journal, the new Art Gallery Of Alberta looks spectacular. My feeling is that Alberta Education should encourage students to not just go there for field trips, but also encourage schools to develop Art curriculum that allows complete classes to be taught there, all the way from Elementary to Senior High.

There should also be video clips & films of classes offered there online, as well as live chats so that students who are homeschooled or taking correspondence courses across the Province can have an equal chance to learn all about what the Art Gallery has to offer. Courses in sketching, sculpting, painting & whatever else a person can think of should be offered.

You then tie these courses back with the other two powerful buildings in the triumvate. Ms. Simons article mention the Citadel Theatre. Well, kids can not only go see plays, perhaps they can take lessons from the actors themselves. They could then possibly put on their own amateur productions right on the Citadel Stage itself for credit. Here's the kicker, kids already do at times play in the Winspear Centre. So if courses in music & dance are offered on the Winspear Stage during the day, then the facility will be used more.

Arguably, the stage is empty during the day when there are no rehearsals or there is maintenance going on. So why not let kids in on say a weekly basis for say 3-4 hours so they can get their entire Arts component of credits in a live, real time artistic facility? Expanding the artistic horizons of children can certainly be only a good thing. Lets use the facilities to maximum effect so that we create an unlimited amount of future artistes! The more art grows exponentially in Edmonton & surrounding area, the better the quality of life for those students overall & for the people that choose to patronize their endeavours!

Matter Of Factly,

Rory

Source: Edmonton Public Library.