More art programs on campus a good move
There has been an increasing number of art programs popping up around campus, and it’s something that should be embraced. In the past, the focus of the school has been primarily on athletics and getting a decent career. It’s good that the number of arts programs on campus have increased, especially considering Franklin considers itself a "liberal arts school." We should embrace the ideals we put forward, and we are doing a good job at getting more arts involved. Take a look at the art groups on campus. The number of theatre majors has gone up from 14 to 18 over the past year. The number of people involved with the drama club is nearly three times as high. There are also four plays put on every year by the theatre department, with the most recent production – "The Shape of Things" – debuting on campus this week. The use of art programs has also gone up on campus. This year brought the formation of an art club, along with the development of a new art studio to be used for painting. There have even been more art shows held in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. The Apogee, Franklin’s annual student-run literary publication, also has seen its staff increase to double-digit figures. The magazine has also received an increase in submissions to the magazine over the past few years. This basically means two things for the school. First, and most importantly, it shows an increase in student creativity. One thing that primarily sets liberal arts students apart from other students is their exposure to the arts. We are promoting creativity through our increase in programs. Secondly, it brings in revenue. With art shows and plays, we have a chance to get the community involved with the school. If they like what they see, they can donate money and help to further our education in the liberal arts.
