I believe the Arts have a valid place in Las Vegas area schools, just as they do in any school within any state or province. Therefore, I was delighted to read that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is partnering with CCSD to offer Any Given Child. This program will create a long-range arts education plan for students in grades K to 8, and will incorporate the existing resources of the school district plus local arts organizations and the Kennedy center to create an arts education plan specific to Las Vegas.

Apparently, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has selected Las Vegas as its fourth partner city for this program. Our city joins partnerships in Sacramento, California; Springfield, Missouri; and Portland Oregon. Any Given Child tries to bring access, balance and equity to each child's art education. Expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals will aid in developing a much-needed plan for long-range arts education, tailor-made for Las Vegas.

“A strong arts education benefits students in their intellectual, personal, and social development.” said Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser. “The Kennedy Center wants to ensure that every child receives a solid, meaningful arts education from kindergarten through eighth grade. I commend Mayor Goodman for his leadership and commitment to enriching the lives of Las Vegas students. I am delighted that The Smith Center, as one of our Partners in Education member institutions, galvanized the community to apply for the Any Given Child program.”

The program remains affordable by partnership with local arts organizations and by using existing resources. The first phase includes auditing existing arts education resources and needs, and by exploring what arts organizations and other community groups will have to offer, in order to draft a plan. Phase two includes recommendations from a community committee on how best to implement the long-term plan, using Kennedy Center resources (including professional development for teachers and teaching artists), local resources and existing arts resources in our local schools, in order to reach the most children they possibly can. This will take time, but just think of the end results!

It's about time! Perhaps we will finally get that solid musical and artistic foundation in education to benefit the solid core of children who are committed to their interest. Perhaps children will finally have an alternative to the sports-driven extracurricular programs of our schools? One can only hope.