How arts education, modernized funding can transform Alabama schools: op-ed

By: Ashley Lucier

My family has been in Alabama as long as Alabama has existed. On a dusty rural state route in Pike County, a traveler can still see the cemetery of the land where my family originally settled in 1807. We were farmers, preachers, and teachers who made do with what we could. When I was born, my parents lived in a single-wide trailer in Montgomery, and like my parents, I attended the local public schools. Despite our financial limitations, I was fortunate that they valued education and understood the implications of providing me opportunities that my school could sometimes not afford to give.

As a child, I was also an avid participant in the arts. I drew, painted, danced, and played guitar. I was fortunate that my parents sacrificed and saved so they could afford the lessons, materials, and time to invest in these things. But as a former educator, I have also witnessed first-hand students who had no access to arts in their schools or homes. I taught students who missed showers and meals because their power was cut off. I supported students who had unimaginable trauma and abuse in their lives. I lost at least one student to suicide and two to gun violence. As a student, an educator, and a mother, I’ve seen what happens when students are not always provided equitable opportunities and resources to succeed. Now, as Executive Director of Amp Up Arts, I have the duty to ensure we do our part to make sure students have those opportunities.