Gone are the days when children solely strived to be one of three things when they grew up: doctor, lawyer, or engineer. For the youth of this generation, careers in the arts are quickly moving to the forefront as feasible professions. With the help of arts programs in schools, students who may not have always thought of themselves as “creative”, but who have the ability, are able to become engaged and have their creative skills cultivated.

Last night, the Urban Arts Partnership held a panel to discuss ‘How the Arts Can Drive Innovation in Public Schools’, moderated by Soledad O’Brien, CNN anchor and special correspondent. Held at the 92nd Street YMCA, O’Brien was joined by NYC Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott, NYC Department of Education Executive Director of the Office of Arts and Special Projects Paul King, Executive Director of Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) Arnold Aprill, New Design High School Principal Dr. Scott Conti, The Facing History School Principal Gillian Smith, and Executive Director of Urban Arts Partnership Philip Courtney to discuss the importance of arts integration in the NYC public school system.

Attended by school principals, activists, teachers, teaching artists and Hip-Hop legend, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, panelists discussed the importance of arts access in schools as well as the debate over having the arts as a separate curriculum versus arts integration.

“People think that the arts are only for the extremely talented, or eccentric”, Arnold Aprill stated. He along with his fellow panelists agreed that the arts definitely play a role in creating critical thinkers, problem solvers and model citizens.

The Source had the opportunity to speak with Anna Strout, Urban Arts Partnership Director of Special Projects, along with DMC who has been a member of the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board for the past year.

“Darryl worked with a group of our students from the “In My Shoes” crew which is one of our Media Lab programs”, Anna said. “The students made a documentary about four formerly homeless teens living in New York City to raise awareness about teen homelessness. They wrote an original titled track for the movie.”

When asked what his experience has been like so far as a part of the Urban Arts Partnership, DMC responded, “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. I didn’t think life could get any better, but it’s really incredible. When you go into the class and you’re teaching them not just what I did, they value my opinion - I’m DMC. What’s beautiful about it is that I get to see who these kids really are and they get to teach me a lot too. I walk out of there inspired. I see what they’re writing, what they’re performing, how they’re dancing. They’re introducing me to whole levels of creativity that I never knew existed. “

It is evident that Hip-Hop has a great influence on students, especially those from underrepresented communities. “The literacy is there”, Courtney affirmed. “They can memorize a whole Jay-Z album.”

Philip boasted an 80% passing rate in a school program after incorporating Hip-Hop music over a two-week period.

“For the past 30 years I’ve been in Hip-Hop, it’s just been me rapping, but their teaching me too”, DMC said. “Everybody has the responsibility to give a child the opportunity to become the people they are, just like you.”

Words & Interview: Donna Dei-Baning
Photo Credit: Michael Cordero