City of Portsmouth, Virginia’s Post

The arts play a crucial role in education, contributing to the overall development of students in various ways. Here are some key aspects of the power of the arts in education: 1. Creativity and Imagination: The arts, including visual arts, music, drama, and dance, stimulate and nurture creativity and imagination in students. Engaging in artistic activities encourages them to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and express themselves in unique ways. 2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Participation in the arts often involves analyzing and interpreting information, making connections, and solving problems. These skills are transferable to other academic subjects and real-life situations, fostering critical thinking and analytical abilities. 3. Communication Skills: The arts provide a platform for students to communicate and express themselves effectively. Whether through visual arts, drama, or music, students learn to convey emotions, ideas, and narratives, honing their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. 4. Cultural Awareness and Diversity: Exposure to various forms of art helps students appreciate different cultures, perspectives, and traditions. This fosters a sense of cultural awareness, tolerance, and a celebration of diversity, promoting a well-rounded and globally minded education. 5. Emotional Intelligence and Self-Expression: Artistic expression allows students to explore and understand their emotions. 6. Collaboration and Teamwork: Many artistic endeavors, such as group performances or collaborative art projects, require teamwork and cooperation. 7. Persistence and Discipline: Mastering any form of art often requires practice, patience, and dedication. 8. Enhanced Academic Performance: Numerous studies suggest a positive correlation between involvement in the arts and academic achievement. Students who engage in arts education often show improvements in areas such as reading, math, and standardized test scores. 9. **Life-Long Learning and Appreciation for the Arts:**   - Exposure to the arts in education can instill a life-long love for creativity and appreciation for the arts. Students may develop a habit of seeking out and enjoying artistic experiences throughout their lives, contributing to their ongoing personal and intellectual growth. In summary, the arts in education go beyond the development of specific skills and talents; they contribute to a holistic educational experience that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and a lifelong appreciation for the diverse expressions of human culture. Integrating the arts into education can lead to more well-rounded and engaged individuals.

You can find two of my most recent articles in the newest issue of Spotlight on Business Magazine where I cover Waves End RV Park and the Ship's Company Theatre!

Come and learn more about why our ODs attendees and Vendor friends keep coming back to the annual GRT Summit!

Performance spaces and education are just the start...

really starts giving you an insight into the value of our INCLUDE project

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it's the perfect time to start dreaming up your springtime adventures. Whether it's attending a music festival, hosting a backyard BBQ, or embarking on a scenic road trip, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate the season. So, I want to hear from YOU: what's on your springtime event bucket list?  Share your must-do activities and experiences in the comments below and let's inspire each other to make the most of this magical season! #SpringBucketList #AdventureAwaits #InspirationTime

Let's appreciate music! It can give us a lot! Jazz changed lots of lives. Maybe you are the one who needs changes this very moment! Listen to jazz & see what will happen! #jazz #latinjazz #music #lifechanging #musicinfluence #marketingtips

I am not the biggest jazz fan and yet I am spending 9 days at the Rochester International Jazz Festival. I have seen so many bands since we arrived and most of them have been truly impressive. But last night we saw a Brazilian Jazz Quartet that inspired me to think about more than the music. They inspired me to wonder what makes for a great leader. We can have talents and skills that make us stand out but do those make us a great leader? We can put in hours of hard work and sweat but are those guaranteed to make us a great leader? I don’t think so. I found the answer to being a great leader by watching the joy and passion of the lead guitarist and frontman last night. His joy and passion sparked the same energy in his band mates. This was not a band that had played together for years. As a matter of fact, when I spoke with them afterward, I learned that they had only met the day before. They had had less than a day to get to know the music and put on an awe inspiring performance. So how did he bring them together in a way that was so inspiring that the entire audience sprang to their feet and cheered at the end of the show. How did he bring them together in a way that left this non-jazz-lover to wanting to buy his entire discography? It was his passion for what he was doing. This morning I realized this is the secret to leadership. Without passion, you can have all of the knowledge and talent, you can work hours and hours and pour every waking thought into the job and still not be an exceptional leader. It takes passion to lead with conviction. It takes passion to inspire others to follow you. Are you passionate about your business? If not, can you find and nurture that passion?

Music is Economy— PERIOD!!! A centralized statewide office Makes it All Make Sense!!! A main key to success is organization. Let’s create the equilibrium needed, and collectively be drivers of effective change in the “gig” /“creator” economy.