When I was the CEO of School of Rock people used to say to me at times that it was a great place for boys to learn music. At which point I would jump in and lobby that there was no better place for girls to learn to play music. When I thought about it more, it dawned on me that we were still stuck in our old school norm that suggested playing electric guitar or rock music was a “masculine” thing to do…simply not true.
To that point, in a similar fashion, I have periodically been confronted with this notion that art-making is for girls. Once again…simply not true. The fact is we have become the most compelling place for BOYS AND GIRLS, AND ADULTS to have fun making art and to become accomplished at it.
Art-making is such a formative and developmentally important activity to do. One River has filled a gap that makes it a bit more interesting; we explore what is current by teaching through the lens of living artists. As a result, it feels fresh and inspiring and I am proud to say that more parents are bringing their boys here.
Our creative journey is what boys want and need to fully develop into the men they are supposed to be…smarter and more creative with even greater capacity for abstract thinking. In a world that is becoming more complex and placing a greater emphasis on design and design thinking, we are excited to see everyone participating.
Matt Ross
Founder
#MondayThoughts #OneRiverSchool #ArtforBoys
matt@oneriverschool.com
