The Strength of Art Education

Engaging Youth in the Arts

Dr. Elliott Schwartz’ exposure to the arts has always been a vital part of who he is. Through the creation of an endowment fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation that supports student experiences at the Oklahoma Contemporary, Dr. Schwartz is nurturing one of his many passions - the promotion of art education.

As a volunteer mentor and teacher at a local charter elementary school, Dr. Schwartz coordinated art-related experiences with most of Oklahoma City’s visual and performing art institutions. His hands-on approach to organizing the events continued to evolve through the years, and he learned the student experience was improved when he prepared them for the types and styles of art or performance they would observe at each institution.

In one field trip with fourth and fifth grade students, Dr. Schwartz recalled how multiple students immediately recognized the Picasso-like features of a replica painting. Witnessing the students quickly observe the painting and use critical thinking to formulate their questions reinforced Dr. Schwartz’ goals of funding art education.

“It is important to me that all students be provided the opportunity to see, hear, touch and create, regardless of demographics and the quality of the educational experience at home or in public schools,” said Dr. Schwartz.

One of Dr. Schwartz’s missions is to foster in others a sense of social responsibility to those less fortunate, prioritizing the creative and emotional needs of our students as well as the basic need for the public school education.

“I encourage the notion of paying it forward and want OUR loving girls (Dr. Schwartz’ daughters), as well as all future generations, to understand the importance of their contributions to this or other causes that are near and dear to them.”