Arts Education in Syracuse

By Manashi Mukherjee
Goldring Arts Journalism Student

The mural in the hallway of Elmwood Elementary has stories to tell. The vivid green background is filled with vibrant lions, elephants, fish and birds. Each beast has a distinct A mural in the Elmwood Elementary School cafeteria. Photo by Susie Hume.personality and a sly smirk on its face. Children painted the colorful wall as a part of the after-school arts program co-sponsored by the Arts Branch of the YMCA of Greater Syracuse and the Syracuse City School District.

Ranieri stays involved with the children by conducting rehearsals and stage-managing the bi-yearly performances at Elmwood.

"It’s been a labor of love to be able to coordinate this program for the Y because it keeps me in the loop with music and the kids," she said.

A study released this summer and sponsored by the Guggenheim Museum concluded that children who participate in arts programs have increased literacy and ability in critical thinking. The arts programs in Syracuse also teach kids discipline and give them confidence.

"Inner city kids are more disciplined than any of my other classes," said Elmwood Elementary’s ballet teacher Renae Morris, 25. "It’s so special to them that they work hard. They come dressed for class and ready to go, every time," said Morris.

After five years, Morris said that there was only one time when two of her students repeatedly forgot to bring their dance clothes to class. After the third warning, they were kicked out of the program. The two girls were so upset that they sent Morris and Ranieri apology notes begging to be let back in the class. Mahari Pullins shows off his violin. Photo courtesy of Dona Bigby and Elmwood Elementary

"They never forgot again," said Morris.

Adjunct professor Elizabeth Twiddy, 32, teaches creative writing in Delaware Elementary’s after-school program. This was her first year teaching in the after-school program, and she marveled at the creativity of the children in her classes. She said that adults often make the mistake of not expecting much from kids.

"If you raise the bar, have big expectations, they’ll meet it," she said.

Many of the students in Twiddy’s class did not speak English as their first language.

“Non-native English speakers can generate a lot of creativity trying to come up with the words, the imagery to describe something," Twiddy said. "A sense of voice is so empowering. It really affects positively self-esteem and confidence," Twiddy said. "They walk out with much more confidence in themselves and see the world differently."

Music lessons are popular with the students as well, but learning to concentrate isn’t always easy. Susan Barrington, a local entrepreneur, 59, has taught violin at Van Duyn for three years. One of her more rebellious students would get up and run around the room whenever she felt like it.

"She fell on one of the violins," Barrington recalled. "So I sent her out of the room and said I didn’t want her in there any more that day. The next day she came in and really buckled down."

Barrington said that the student, now in middle school, is advocating for the addition of a strings program there.

"It’s a tough crowd to deal with—you have to tame the crowd, get control and then they start listening to you," Barrington said. "They don’t believe they can do it when they first start, and then all of a sudden they realize they can, and they get really excited."

Poetry from Delaware Elementary School

Chickadee
I feel like a ball of fluff.
I sing my name Chickadee.
A lot of birds are talking to me.
A bird left me alone and I felt sad.
I flew to Puerto Rico and got new friends.
I played with them hide and seek.
When I finished playing I went to eat.
I ate seeds in a house.
by Aixa Lopez

What I see in outer space
Darkness Black Sky all around
with Sparkle Stars that look golden
and a moon that is white
Strong Orangest yellowish light from the sun
Red planets, yellow planets, orange planets, green
planets, blue planets and brown planets
circling the planets and I see astronauts
playing of the moon and their space that
is all gray and most of all our wonderful Earth
by Ladazia Mathews