Inspire School of Arts and Science – Empowering Students To Discover Their Talents

Engaging with art is essential to the human experience. Almost as soon as motor skills are developed, children communicate through artistic expression. The arts challenge us with different points of view, compel us to empathize with others, and give us the behaviors that contribute to the health of a civil society, such as increased civic engagement and greater social tolerance. Yet, while we recognize art’s transformative impacts, its place in K-12 education has become increasingly tenuous.

In recent years, school curricula in the United States have shifted heavily toward common core subjects of reading and math, but what about the arts? Although some may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children.

Inspire School of Arts and Science, in Chico CA, is a collaboration between teachers, parents, students and community members, dedicated to creating a school that empowers students to explore and discover their personal talents and passions.

Savannah Dey and Raymond Kohler are both seniors at Inspire, where they’ve learned to focus their interests and prepare for careers as adults.Photo by Amber Thompson.

Personalized learning for students

Their faculty and staff bring years of experience in creating and implementing successful educational programs that provide students more personalized learning environments. They know that students learn best when they see connections between disciplines, classroom instruction, their own personal passions and skills, and their academic and career futures. Inspire’s instructional strategies and curriculum reveal those important connections, motivating students to succeed.

Savannah Dey, a senior at Inspire, has focused her art studies on Technical Theater and Performing Arts. She had a background of performing prior to attending Inspire, but it was at Inspire that she fell in love with Technical Theater. Technical Theatre is the backbone of the production. “Taking the ideas from the base, painting and working with tools to bring the director’s vision to life is very exciting,” she says.

She started with Performing Arts Foundation, a class that paved the way and gave her a preview of what to expect. Then, Gateway Class taught her about stage design, learning the steps from drawing board to the completion of the set design. Theater Design taught her how to stretch her mind and think about how to make a production of a play different.

At Inspire, Savannah Dey is studying Theater Design and will take the experience of collaboration to work toward a psychology degree at college after she graduates. Photo by Amber Thompson.

“Learning to set your ego aside”

“You learn to set your ego aside, knowing that it’s a team effort to get all the work done,” Dey says. “It’s also okay to ask for help. A production can have up to 10 designers and crews of 30-40 people working on the set. As a senior I try and set a good example of being open and available for questions and to help others.”

Dey wants to take her experience of working and connecting with others and focus that into a psychology degree; and hopes to attend college next year in Oregon.

Raymond Kohler, another senior at Inspire, transferred to the school during his sophomore year. He credits the many opportunities the school provides for helping him find a passion. Before Inspire, he enjoyed playing the guitar and piano, but says he wasn’t super skilled. Through different programs and a chance volunteer position with this year’s Fall Film Festival, he focused on learning to become a sound direction technician.

“I learned I really enjoyed working the technical side; setting up the equipment, mixing music,” Kohler says. This year he is in an Advanced Recording Arts class.

“It’s imperative for youth to be exposed to art”

“Working with others at the school helps feed my own creative side,” he says.  “I think it’s imperative for youth to be exposed to art. Art is one of the best ways for people to express their feelings.  Connecting yourself to art is an important part of understanding our human nature.”

Kohler plans to take some time after high school to work different jobs and continue to explore possibilities before eventually enrolling at Butte College and then Chico State University.

According to Dey, “The arts are crucial for youth in how they expand young creative minds and create a foundation of team building skills. Modern art, both visual and performing, is centered around society and what the world looks like from different points of view. By sharing these views, we can create more empathic and well-rounded people. Art is a place of expression for many, and the base to understanding how our world functions.”