Teaching music and art to young people can be a particular rewarding career. Allowing youngsters expression through art and music disciplines can result in the foundation of not just a balance of formal versus artistic education, but also create the base for the musicians and artists of the future paving the way for future generations of culture.

But are these disciplines as respected within the education and governmental funding sphere as they should be?

Certainly not in the UK, it would seem. Not forgetting the countries status as Olympic hosts in 2012, it seems sporting activities come before the arts when it comes to funding and support. Despite the honour of the Olympics to be held in London, this is a country where the physical has always taken precedence over the artistic (the over glamourisation of football, not un entirely to blame)

As the country goes through its worst recession in modern times, it was announced recently that an extra £780m would be spent on sport for 5 to 16-year-olds.

At the very same time, funding budgets for large cultural venues and even local artistic and musical education initiatives are being cut if not cancelled. Making a living as a musician or artist in 2009 is practically unheard of, except for the very lucky few.

Even if arts and music teaching practice was highly promoted and funded – it still couldn’t ensure jobs for the students in later life, yet neither can sport.

All of these disciplines have a worth and a purpose and are the very essence of a well balanced curriculum.

Such current issues have prompted British parliamentary researcher Adam Gillett to argue

If the government wishes to improve music teaching in Britain, it must first redress the balance between culture and sport.

Here here!

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