An area of academic life that often gets cut or overlooked is the arts, where the ability to expand experience, creativity and confidence is critical to a child’s well-rounded development. Confidence, that wonderful feeling of self-assurance arising from appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities, is key for our middle and high school students as they inch closer to adulthood.
Yet, while some may want to eliminate support for this vital skill-building curriculum, Interlochen Center for the Arts and Michigan Virtual have come together to provide students with a new set of arts-focused courses year-round to help build that confidence: Interlochen Online.
By using our respective areas of expertise, reach, and knowledge, we have created additional space where students can learn, grow and explore new areas of interest.
More importantly than the courses themselves is the chance for students to expand, evolve, and ultimately build up the confidence to tackle any challenge the real world may eventually throw their way. Perhaps your child is musically inclined or extremely funny, or perhaps they thrive at video editing or drawing. These are not just pastimes — they’re pathways that open the door to meaningful, impactful futures.
We are living in a time where artistic programs are all too often eliminated in our schools due to budget cuts, overlooking the inspiration, creativity, and practical lessons an arts education can offer to students as focus narrows to core curriculum courses only. To counter that, partnering and collaborating on expanding access and variety to students, no matter where they live or obtain their schooling, is the way in which we can provide our young learners with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive and grow in a world that is continuously evolving.
We want to ensure all students have access to opportunities that keep them engaged, expand their learning and build the confidence they need as they prepare to move into the workforce. The beauty about tools such as Interlochen Online is that they are designed by exceptional educators and professional artists with the goal of preparing students for the world of opportunity that exists beyond the classroom through an arts education.
At Interlochen, our mission is to transform passion and potential into purpose — and we believe the best way to do that is by fostering confidence through creativity. Tools and partnerships that invest in the too-often dismissed arts education pathway are a powerful example of how organizations can successfully combine expertise and resources to best serve the children in our communities.
When students feel inspired and supported, they take risks, explore new ideas, and develop the resilience to keep going, while also building a fulfilling future for themselves.
Partnerships, like this one with Michigan Virtual, expand our ability to reach students across the state to offer them not just access to a high-quality arts education, but a clear path to discovering who they are and what they’re capable of.