Quality Life Center has been putting on performing arts
productions for many years. Whether it was singing, dancing or drama, it
involved a lot of children and a lot of heart. On a limited budget, staff
learned to make do with little. There’s a reason the costumes were usually
t-shirts.
In 2015, the Q's proposal scored well enough to get approved for a grant from the Florida
Division of Cultural Arts. With this funding, the center helped pay for some expenses, including marketing, costumes, and dance instruction. In addition to Q
staff, professional dancers came in to teach workshops throughout the year. The
show that year was epic: Lion “Qing.”
The Q has applied for, and been fortunate to have received funding each year since then for its Arts, Character & Education Program. That's 3 action-packed years! Until
now. Funding dropped from $35 million in 2015 to $2.6 million for the 2018-2019
fiscal year. The state legislature allotted no funding for the category that
funded the Q’s dance program. That is $0.
Increased production values and playing to
thunderous applause in a packed house are nice. But that’s not the point. It's about the
children. Children like Gennifer.
Gennifer was failing in school, having particular
difficulties with math. She was in remedial classes in school. She would become
so frustrated during tutoring, she would break down and cry.
Gennifer was enrolled in Quality Life Center's Arts,
Character & Education Program. You might think the “education” part of the
program was the most important to a student like her who was struggling in
school. But the arts part is vital as well.
Research consistently shows that arts education has a
positive impact on student success. The arts bolster the development of deeper
learning skills. So a student getting dance instruction, for example, is not
only more likely to improve test scores, but also improve critical skills, such
as creativity, teamwork and perseverance. It's like the arts are superheroes!
These are the skills employers are looking for, and that
support a strong economy. A successful community needs innovative thinkers. New
jobs will be developed by people with creativity and imagination. Maybe the
next big industry. If you want to produce problem-solvers, innovators and
collaborative workers, support the arts!
Gennifer participated in dance classes and workshops at the
Q over the last few years. In addition to academic gains, her confidence and
dance skills have flourished. After a recommendation led to an audition for
Cypress Lake Middle School’s arts program, Gennifer stepped up and won a spot
in their dance program. Today, she is an Honor student, earning all A’s this
semester. She danced with the Moscow Ballet at the Barbara B. Mann Performing
Arts Hall, and continues to excel and stand out in the Q's dance program.
“She was a shy, timid, insecure girl who cried when she was
corrected,” said Keesha, the Performing Arts Director and COO at Quality Life Center. “Now Gennifer carries herself with confidence and is always
at the front of performances. She is not afraid to ask questions or to share
her opinion with others.”
As Rafiki said in the Lion King: The past can hurt. The way I see it, you can either run from it or
learn from it. You don’t have to tell Gennifer.
