Why Glee Should Make You Rethink Arts Ed

Unless you’ve been living under a sad, music-less rock, chances are excellent that you’ve heard of Fox’s sitcom Glee, a modern-day musical featuring the (lovable) nerds in a glee club. The show is an escapist’s dream that interrupts the endless buffet of violent mob/gang/police shows, sob dramas, stale comedies and other bleak programming from which viewers must choose. Aside from its departure from the status quo, Glee is living proof that children, tweens, adults and everyone in between are desperate for creativity and joy in their lives. Here are a few lessons that art educators can take from this mega-hit.

Glee shows that the arts are relevant:
For those unfamiliar with the show, each episode features Glee covers of popular show tunes or modern pop hits from artists like Jay-Z, Madonna or Britney Spears. These remakes are imaginative and over the top, and the grouchiest grump can’t help but give in to the optimistic and poppy crooning of the teens. By opening up music, theater, dance and performance, Glee takes a niche activity like glee club and makes it applicable and relevant to a mainstream audience.

Tearing down barriers is critical in developing young minds by finding something which resonates with them. For instance, a New York Times article on the importance of literacy noted that in order for children to improve their reading skills over the summer, any book – including the Hannah Montana books – would work. Glee might be considered the Hannah Montana of the art world, but it accomplishes what many arts educators seek to do: spark an interest in creation and demonstrates how art belongs to us all.

Glee shows that the arts mean more:
Taking part in any creativity doesn’t only open up the creator’s mind, it opens up the creator’s heart. Researcher James Catterall has chronicled how theater, in particular, teaches the art of empathy, of literally taking on another’s identity and struggles, resulting in changed paradigms and perceptions. Glee is a nerd’s show (its followers are aptly named Gleeks) where outsiders are taught strength, insiders are taught compassion and everyone learns what it means to be a better person.

Creating art has never been merely an output of work, but an exchange of dialogue. This is especially important for the dynamic demographics of today’s youth. Our students live in a world that is fraught with fights, war, differing ideologies, cultures, languages and ideas. The arts, all forms of it, neutralize the fear associated with “the other” and turn it into a beautiful exploration. Without creation in our lives, we’re stuck with the same ol’ stereotypes and associations which place young learners in silos.

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Despite the fact that television has begun to rely on gimmicks, sensationalism and semi-voyeuristic trash to lure viewers in, Glee opened the fall season with the strongest showing of viewers on any network. Let’s not forget that above all, creativity drives us in our professional and personal lives and people are hungry for something that connects them to that power. Oh, and it’s super fun, to boot! See below if you want proof. :)