Donna Collins
I’m a wife, a mom, and a grandmother (affectionately known as Grammy by my grandgirl Cierra). A typical day starts at 7:00 AM and concludes around 8:00 PM, working Saturdays, and participating in lots of evening events – a similar schedule to many of my arts advocacy colleagues. Work and family are what I eat, breath, and sleep. Most of the time one is as important as the other and each have their distinct needs and rewards.
On April 26, 2010, my world came crashing down around me when our 31-year-old son TJ died. It isn’t supposed to happen this way. Parents should not bury their children. Through TJ’s death, our grieving, and our memories I now see the world through different lenses. Simple things are more valuable, time is critical, making contacts a necessity since we’re not sure how much time we have, and telling our stories is essential to our future.
I rarely reflect, and until recently didn’t remember, why or how I got into the arts and arts education advocacy business. Thinking back on TJ’s life reminded me that he was the reason.
TJ was our theater and music kid. His brothers Josh (the athlete) and Ryan (the dreamer and reader) offered up other ways to get involved as parents. But theatre and music programs require a special kind of parent volunteer. You have to fight for the music and drama programs in schools. You have to raise money and pay for band camp. You have to work on levy campaigns to protect arts education programs. You have to take long bus rides to get to Disney or a special by-invitation-only parade. You have to pay a special facility fee to keep the theater open late for Friday night’s show and Saturday’s matinee. You have to drive five kids to the next concert so the show choir can perform at the retirement home. You have to compete for time and resources with the athletic boosters and PTAs.
TJ knew about advocacy!
As a high school student he was always asking for more than was offered, demanding resources, and skipping lunch just to have the chance to be more engaged in theater education. He learned quickly about how to work the system. TJ was savvy. He gave me the courage to speak at school board meetings, meet with state legislators, and write letters to plead the case for arts education. TJ rewarded my efforts by taking an interest in community theatre after he graduated from high school. And yes, the not-for-profit community theater needed advocates too. TJ was so smart.
Of course what I didn’t realize at the time was that TJ was training me in arts and arts education advocacy. TJ was the teacher and I was the student. TJ did a great job, so much so, that I began to teach others about advocacy and the rest is history!
We all have much work to do in the arts education advocacy arena. I’ve pledged that I will spend thirty minutes every single day engaged in arts education advocacy at a very personal level. I will make phone calls, send emails, read the research, talk to colleagues, share data and resources, educate policy makers, and encourage students to take an advocacy stance for arts education in their own communities. I invite you to join me in remembering TJ by being an advocate for arts education. I can’t think of a better way to honor my teacher – my son. I hope you will join me!
Oh my gosh, I’m so moved by this beautiful entry on the ArtsBlog. I make a promise to myself to get it together and be a true advocate for arts education. This could be a movement, one that changes the world. Just 30 minutes is not too much to ask or do. We owe this to the children.
Hi Jen:
Let me know if I can help you in your quest to make advocacy a daily habit. We have resources through the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, Ohio Citizens for the Arts, the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, and Americans for the Arts. With so many resources (how-to, data, facts, information, etc.) we can help you be the best arts and arts education advocate possible!
All my best,
Donna
Although I didn’t know TJ, I knew/know many, many students that share his passion. I worked with many parents who supported their children and the school programs in which they were involved. No one makes a better advocate than a devoted parent.
My teaching career ended five years ago with my retirement, but my days of advocacy continue. I am privileged and honored to work as a volunteer with one of the organizations for which Donna Collins serves as executive director. Her passion for the arts is wonderfully contagious. She is truly a miracle worker.
Dear David:
You are the best! Your efforts, even in retirement, have not diminished as a theatre educator! Your ability to work with students to help them tell their stories about the power and impact of the arts in their lives is priceless. For several years now, your volunteer work with high school students who have been selected as Ohio Arts Day Student Advocates has made a profound difference in their ability to articulate the real value of the arts in their academic and personal lives! Together we are making a difference. Thank you David!
Donna,
Thank you for putting it all in perspective. I sometimes wonder why I do what I do (when it sometimes appears no one is listening)–that is, to advocate for children to have art in their lives. And than someone like yourself reminds me why: we do this because the boundless energy, optimism, and unbridled creative spark of our children would not allow us to do otherwise. Your heartfelt rememberence of TJ made me realize how fortunate I am to do the work that I do and the role my own children have played in it. I’m lucky to have an adult child (nearly TJ’s age) and a little one (eight) still at home. The adult is a fiery mix of arts and politics, about to start graduate school in arts administration; her little sister is fearlessly creative (this morning she demanded I fetch a box from the recycyle bin–she envisioned a new house for her toy mouse family. What I see in both is where a child’s artistic impulse comes from and where it can go. In them, I see every child; in every child, I seem them. That’s enough for me, that and the tireless commitment of people like yourself.
Thank you
Jim: Thank you for sharing such powerful thoughts about your children and the work we do. I hope you will post some links that lead people to the resources the Educational Theatre Association and your state level affiliates have to help with advocacy. Together we are making a difference. Imagine all of our members spending just 30 minutes a day on advocacy … I can imagine it right now!
Donna
TJ was such a beautiful person and he will be remembered by many. I love to be inspired by student advocates through my work for Ohio Arts Day, this is my most favorite part of my job! I am so encouraged by the motivation and enthusiasm of young arts students like TJ was.
You are a very strong advocate as well, and your passion for your work shows in everything that you do!
Janelle: You are a great example of how young people (20 somethings) are loyal to their ideals! You work passionately to engage others in our cause to support the arts and arts education. Your enthuisasm is contagious for all the young people you come into contact with each day! The future is brighter when I think about your continued leadership in arts advocacy efforts in Ohio and the nation!
We are so fortunate to have you as an art advocate. I appreciate you sharing your story for all of us and will keep you and your family in my thoughts. I pledge to work hard to educate my community on the importance of arts education. Unfortunately, they are eliminating elementary art, music and physical education in my district (Big Walnut Local Schools) because of two failed levies. I pledge to do whatever possible to make sure my elementary students have access to art opportunities next year and I want to get a specialist back teaching elementary as soon as possible.
Dawn:
I’ll provide you with some resources that will help in your efforts to educate the community and school board about Ohio’s Operating Standards which address some of the issues you share in your post. Keep up the good work!
Donna – What a stunning and beautiful read! Thank you so much for sharing, for opening up with such personal and moving information. I’m blessed to have you in my life (and I don’t use that word very often…). And our professional world is more than blessed to have you. TJ was a wonderful kid. And if he got you into this work, then he brought you to me too. I owe him. This story really does remind me of why I do what I do. I was like TJ. In fact, theatre is what made my life bearable. If I do one thing in my life to help one kid have that moment where he can connect with other people because of the arts or he has one less day in school wishing he were anywhere else, then I’ll be happy and it’s been worth it.
John: I’m so glad to know that theatre made such a big difference in your life. And, by the way, you help kids every single day! I’ve seen you teach, I’ve heard you speak to emerging leaders, and I’ve watched you in action … young people are drawn to you – they like the conversations you start that are more than stuff you find in text books. You challenge young people to think for themselves and act accordingly. How empowering for young people to be given the freedom to look at the arts, arts education, and advocacy from a variety of views and determine for themselves what is good and what needs attention! Imagine John Abodeely x 1000 engaged students = WOW ADVOCACY!
Thank You Sweetheart that was beautiful.