Lack of Art in Education

I am a retired, relatively young grandmother (50 years old),- who has traveled almost all over the world. My true love is "ART", and I even own an Art Gallery in Italy,- Where I presently reside.- (I am a U.S. Citizen born and raised in the U.S.).- I am also a writer.-One of my main concerns has always been the lack of "ART" education for the children in U.S. schools.My grandchildren, ages 12 and 15, DO NOT have the slightest idea of what is a Museum, a great painting, a Ballet, An Opera, A Classical Concerto, etc., neither are they interested in learning.-In Europe, specially England, France, Spain, Italy,- "ART" is considered one of the mayor subjects in grade school.- Children, starting from the third grade in elemental schools, are regularly taken to Museums, Operas, Ballets.- They must be able to recognize and write book reports about famous painters, writers, Operas, ballets, etc.The level of education in these European Countries is much higher.- considering that a six grader in England, has the level of education of a High School Senior in the U.S.A.-I have known of High School students here, that can hardly "Spell", let alone READ.-!!! Most of them have never read a great novel or seen a true work of ART.- Of course, this does not representall of the U.S. students.-It breaks my heart to know that, not only my grandchildren.,- but all other children as well,- will never be able to enjoy the beauty of an Opera, the ecstasy of watching a Ballet, the emotion of hearing and seing a Concert by Carreras, Placido DOmingo, or a Pavarotti singing "Nesum Dorma" from Tosca- that can fill your eyes with tears.Visiting the "Musee Du Louvre" in Paris, with more that 65,000 pieces of art, amomg them The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, The Vitruvian Man,-- would take a visitor more than five weeks to be able to truly appreciate all of it's glory.- This is why it is called the most famous art museum in the world. But this is an experience that will never be forgotten.-!!! There are also thousands of other Museums all over the world.To me, this is like robbing these children, which will be our next generation, of the most beautiful things in life.The appreciation of "True Art" has to be taught to children, they are not born with this knowledge. Once they experience this and acquire a taste for it, it will be passed to the next generation.-But this can not be accomplished unless schools and parents take an important role of teaching them something that will enrich their lives forever !!!E. de la TorrienteJan. 27, 2007