Does Beauty Even Matter?
Fear. Performance. Busyness.
They permeate our culture and seep into our families and our schools.
Before we know it, busy schedules rule our school days like our families’ days. Fear permeates through the surface – fear of failure, fear of risk, fear of hard things (mental and physical). Performance becomes the thing we can control, the thing that matters most and that gives students value.
In the midst of it all, beauty just isn’t very practical. Even in our own day-to-day lives, amidst many good things we prioritize as classical educators leading and teaching in ways counter to fear, performance, and busyness, it can be difficult to prioritize beauty, for ourselves, for our schools, for our classrooms, for our students, and for our families.
Its lack of practicality may even cause you to think you don’t need a retreat on prioritizing the arts.
But that’s exactly why you do. In today’s world, the incessant tugs at our time and focus mean we must double down on beauty to even begin to give it the priority it needs – the priority we need.
Joseph Clair has called beauty the step-child of the classical, Christian education movement.
Pastor Russ Ramsey, author of Rembrandt in the Wind, challenges us: “Goodness and truth are often taken seriously, while beauty is seen as a mere pastime, hobby, or even an obstacle to efficient, important work. Beauty cares very little whether the trains run on time.”
_______________
Pause your efficient, important work for 2.5 days.
Join us Oct. 24-26 in Dallas, TX.
We will make time to prioritize the arts and discuss what this looks like in your school. What does it mean to lead a school with a culture of beauty and what does it look like to teach in the classroom?
Bring your faculty and your leadership teams.
Arrive Thursday evening and only miss one day of school.
This line-up of speakers is passionate about their subject – in a way I haven’t seen in a bit! I think we’ve struck a nerve. They promise to inspire and challenge us as we think about the arts.
Not to mention the time to see friends, make new friends, and connect with peers.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Society for Classical Learning
At Society for Classical Learning, we believe that cultivating sound judgment and leadership rooted in virtue is essential for shaping the next generation of classical educators and leaders. Our community is dedicated to fostering these principles through collaborative learning, professional development, and shared wisdom. If you’re passionate about shaping thoughtful, principled leaders, consider becoming a member of Society for Classical Learning today. Join us in building a future guided by wisdom and integrity.
