By Jennifer Donnolo

Society is changing rapidly, but one thing that remains the same is the debate over the value of arts education - particularly for urban students.

Massive technological innovations and globalization have resulted in a hyper-focus on the value of STEM education. While this is understandable, we cannot minimize the impact of arts education on creating well-rounded, problem-solving citizens who can be high functioning leaders and innovators in our global society.

According to a recent study by The Brookings Institution, “a substantial increase in arts educational experiences has remarkable impacts on students’ academic, social, and emotional outcomes.” In the study, students who participated in arts programs experienced a reduction in disciplinary infractions, a 13 percent improvement of standardized writing scores, and an 8 percent improvement in their compassion for others – meaning the students were more interested in how other people feel and became more likely to want to help people who are treated badly. In our social-media driven world, which is proving to significantly decrease young people’s ability to effectively feel and communicate emotions, any strategy to help the next generation re-engage on a human level and increase their compassion for others is certainly necessary.

This is why schools such as Newark Arts High are so valuable, and this is why we must find ways to support its students. Newark Arts High is the first high school for the arts in this country. It, and its students, should be our pride and joy.

Recent demographics show that Newark’s population has grown in the past nine years, and the largest age group in the city is 25 – 44. Considering the explosion of business opportunities created by the downtown Newark renaissance, this comes as no surprise. It also comes with great opportunity to support the reported one-fourth of Newark residents who are under 18 by facilitating and nurturing their exposure to the arts.

We are new business owners here in Newark and our backgrounds include education and social work. When we began putting the finishing touches on our space, we reached out to Newark Arts to see how we could collaborate. The result was 36 pieces of art that adorn our walls.

The artwork is masterful and most people who come into our space are shocked to find out that the remarkable paintings and photographic images were created by high school students. By fostering this relationship, we are able to promote the value of arts education and provide a great sense of accomplishment to the students.

Anyone interested in our future as a country should be interested in our students right now. As business people, let’s figure out how to shape the next generation of big thinkers and people-centered leaders by being a conduit for the arts education and exposure that will help them thrive. We will all benefit in the end.

Jennifer Donnolo is president of 3rd Space, located in the Ironbound District of Newark.

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