Angeline Patrick Pacheco is a senior at Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul
By Angeline Patrick Pacheco
Arts education isn’t prioritized in public schools. This isn’t breaking news. Despite the fact that 88% of Americans agree that art is necessary for a well-rounded education, arts classes are typically the first to be cut in order to balance a district’s budget.
An analysis put out by the Minneapolis Schools Voices in 2023 showed that the Saint Paul Public School district is one of the least adequately funded districts in Minnesota. Funding is particularly tight since access to pandemic funds ended on Sept 30. According to recent KARE 11 reporting, the end of pandemic funding means there is $207 million less for the overall 2024-2025 budget. Once again, arts programs will likely be cut, and students like myself will suffer as a result.
I’ve experienced the benefits of arts programming firsthand. As someone who has had a hard time in school due to mental health struggles and, as a result, feeling deeply out of place, art has kept me afloat. It has been a source of solace and a creative outlet for self-expression when I felt stifled. If I didn’t have that space to be myself in school, I don’t think I could have made it to my senior year.
My experience with arts education is far from unique. I surveyed other students via social media in October. Here are just a few of their responses:
- “When they almost quit the orchestra and band program because they didn’t have a teacher, it would’ve devastated me. If I didn’t have a proper art program growing up, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said Marin Reyenga, 17.
- “Being in art classes gave me something to look forward to in school. I actually started paying more attention to my schoolwork because I wasn’t allowed to be in band activities if my grades weren’t good. I would’ve done significantly worse in school had I not been in an art program,” said Bennett Nguyen-Prowell, 18.
- “Choir gave me an outlet for creativity, a welcoming community, and a sense of motivation in moments where I would’ve otherwise given up,” said Sara Tellez, 17.
Overwhelmingly, students said that they would be miserable without having arts as a refuge in school.
So what is being funded instead? The FY25 SPPS Budget Report states that physical education specialists are prioritized over art and music because PE builds motor skills, enhances cognitive function, fosters social skills, and reduces stress and anxiety.
But, guess what? So does art!
Involving and embedding art in education benefits student’s social and emotional learning. A study conducted in Houston Public Schools found that students in art programs improved their writing, had fewer disciplinary infractions, were more engaged in their education, and even showed greater interest in attending college.
“I have witnessed in my students a stronger sense of teamwork and collaboration as well as a greater work ethic,” Saint Paul Johnson High School music teacher, Melanie Lunda told me. “I also believe it gives students an opportunity to participate in something they enjoy during the school day which provides daily mental health space and balance.”
Cadex Herrera, a visual arts teacher at Creative Arts Secondary School in Saint Paul and teacher for more than 20 years, says he’s seen firsthand how arts education fosters critical thinking, self-expression, problem solving and collaboration. “It can be particularly transformative for students who may not feel as successful in traditional academic subjects. Art is more than just a subject,” said Herrera, “it’s a tool for connection, expression, and resilience. It deserves a central place in education because it shapes not only students’ creative abilities but also their emotional and cognitive growth.”
Funding for education is complex and challenging, but the arts are essential. With the state of the world and recent global pandemic, students need more mental and emotional support than ever. Art is that comfort for many, and to deny students that part of their learning is to deny them a proper education. I wouldn’t be myself or have made it to where I am without the support that art has given me throughout my school years.
The arts should be a key part of education and prioritized when it comes to funding in Saint Paul Public Schools. It is absolutely necessary for the well-being and mental development of students. Be vocal in your support and speak up for the arts!
Angeline worked with Sahan Journal Reporter Alfonzo Galvan and Center for Broadcast Journalism Managing News Director Marianne Combs to complete her story. This story was produced as part of ThreeSixty Journalism’s 2024 Op-Ed Workshop for high school youth in partnership with Sahan Journal and the Minnesota Star Tribune.
