The Case for Creativity
Why some say access to the arts is critical for college students
“I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
Before coming to Quinnipiac University in the fall of 2022, Rebecca Huyck said she had no idea what was in store for her. She loved music, dancing and theater, but she knew she was coming to a school where those passions were not loudly celebrated or embraced. Quinnipiac University had ended it's theater major, and only has one arts building located off campus. Though it was not something she wanted to pursue professionally, the arts were a vital part of her being. Huyck would eventually go on to discover the Legends, Quinnipiac’s only a cappella group. The ensemble creates music using only their voices, with no instruments or accompaniment. Now a senior, she detailed the importance the arts have had on her college career:
Huyck is just one example of how the arts have changed the lives of college students across the nation. She said her feelings of belonging, connection and calmness are what any college student longs for. Without access to the arts, it would not be possible.
Before college
Studies say that college can be one of the most stressful times of life. The switch from high school and being at home is abrupt and sometimes abrasive. For four years, students are focused on their education, their future and all of the problems they will soon face after graduation. However, there is something that can improve productivity and learning, aid in de-stressing and create outlets for self expression and thought processing: arts and music.
Arts and music have a major role in the lives of many young adult before coming to college. According to the Arts Education Data Project, 92% of students have access to arts and music education in their lives. Millions of children in the United States participate in extra curricular activities relating to arts and creativity in their youth. Since the introduction of arts into the classroom there has been significant changes in the rate at which children are learning and the positive effect it has on cognitive development, according to the study. While these educational initiatives are now basic curriculum in the country, that does not undermine the emotional connections that students have made to the arts and music over time. The Arts Education Data Project says that in arts programs students make meaningful relationships with instructors and their peers. But after 13 years in the American school system, they are either sent off to college or into “the real world” where this push for pursuing arts and music essentially stops. And that relationship is fractured, says the Data Project.
This data from the Arts Education Data Project shows student accessibility to the arts before college. As they move up in K-12, accessibility hits a peak right before college. As they move onto college this accessibility dwindles.
Taking a look at QU
Known for non-arts accomplishments like national championship hockey, a well regarded nursing program and its polling institute, Quinnipiac has never been flashy in the world of music and the arts. However, the student body as a whole does find community and belonging in the arts programs available. Senior Ben Shannon is the president of Comic Sans Improv Troupe at Quinnipiac. Improv is a visual art where actors perform with no script, creating scenes, dialogue and characters on the spot. Earlier this year, the Buckman Theater permanently closed with plans of demolition to create a pathway to the new South Quad. This left Comic Sans without a rehearsal and performance space. The demolition seems to indicate a tough period ahead for performing arts groups, as it was the only true performance space on Quinnipiac’s campus.
Comic Sans at Quinnipiac University, December 2022 - Instagram
Comic Sans at Quinnipiac University, December 2022 - Instagram
“The arts have been the glue to society,” Shannon said. “I think that's especially so important on college campuses.” As Comic Sans faces it's displacement, the group is hopeful for the future of the arts at Quinnipiac, with potential performance spaces in the new South Quad.
Accessibility is the students' and faculty members main gripe with the school. Quinnipiac has one small music building and one theater building located off campus. Students say this makes it difficult for students to access rehearsal spaces, practice rooms and forces student organizations to provide their own transportation for weekly rehearsals and practices.
Quinnipiac University's Music Building - Rocco Caminiti
Quinnipiac University's Music Building - Rocco Caminiti
Quinnipiac University Practice Room- Rocco Caminiti
Quinnipiac University Practice Room- Rocco Caminiti
Route to Quinnipiac's Theater and Music Facilities - Google Maps
Route to Quinnipiac's Theater and Music Facilities - Google Maps
Professor George Sprengelmeyer is head of the music department at Quinnipiac University. He shares his thoughts on the importance of the performance arts, how the school can improve their facilities and the struggles he faces as a advocate for music on campus:
Taking a look locally
Aiden Geiver is the secretary for the University of Connecticut A Cappella Association, as well as a music minor at the university. He said the situation at UCONN is favorable for the arts. “I’d say that finding rehearsal space is never an issue. The UCONN Music Building has a bunch of practice rooms and studios for students to use,” Geiver said. UCONN has over 30 small and large music ensembles on campus, with a lively passion for the arts. A survey conducted shows the difference in accessibility to arts and music at Quinnipiac vs. neighboring school, UCONN.
While opinions on accessibility and funding varied between the two schools, one was overwhelmingly true for both; the arts have positively impacted the mental health and overall college experience for every student respondent.
Sacred Heart University is also a lively scene for music and the arts according to Lauren Conely. She is a senior double major in biology and musical theater, with hopes of attending medical school. "I think the arts are so important," she said. "They build compassion, acceptance, generosity, time management... I think it really builds the best parts of being a well rounded human." Conely said she credits her her team-oriented mindset to the experiences she's had through performing arts organizations.
"I want to pursue medicine, but I knew musical theater would never leave me," said Conely. She said that although she did not see singing or acting being her profession, it was important for her to find a school where should could honor both of her passions. "One of the main reasons I chose Sacred Heart is because they let me do my double major, which was one of the only schools that let that happen," she said.
Pushing for the arts
No matter the size of a school, the location, or the programs offered, it seems music and the arts will always be integral in the eyes of students. Some students feel that passion doesn’t always equate to profession, and access to the arts has benefitted their college experiences. Through analyzing schools in the region, it was made clear that music and the arts have a large impact on students as a whole.
College students feel that push for arts should not end after high school, because the need for creativity doesn’t end there either.
According to Quinnipiac student leaders and faculty, the fight for the arts will still continue. They will endure the uphill battle while continuing to explore their passion for music and the arts.
