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HUH??? I wonder just how much you actually know about Taos???
A child RAISED IN TAOS could hardly avoid being exposed to the arts, regardless whether or not the parents are artists! And a person visiting Taos would have to purposely avoid the various museums, galleries and historic homes to escape being exposed to its artistic influences. Since architecture is another important brand of "the arts," it's impossible to deny the importance of pueblo-style on the contemporary architecture of the area.
Art is everywhere, but in the schools. It's just a backdrop, not taught as a valuable skill.
Just as driving across bridges all day doesn't make one an engineer, driving by art and architecture doesn't nurture being an artist.
As I said before, kids with academic skills tend to leave Taos and never come back. If more kids were exposed to creating art, music, etc., in the schools, Taos might possibly have a lower drop out rate.
Lack of mines currently active gave me the first clue. If there were minerals in large enough deposits to be commercially viable there would be a bunch of big holes in the ground like the Santa Rita pit.
One other point worthy of mention- 20 minutes north of Taos is Questa, a town supported rather exclusively by a large Molybdenum mine. It's underground.
Art is everywhere, but in the schools. It's just a backdrop, not taught as a valuable skill.
Just as driving across bridges all day doesn't make one an engineer, driving by art and architecture doesn't nurture being an artist.
You're correct.
I know of no reason Taos schools should be any different than schools everywhere else in the USA. Art is normally "an elective" and not a required course. And schools in general still emphasize the "3 Rs" as far as I know. Somehow this thread drifted to emphasis on the arts.
My earlier remarks were perhaps misleading since I began talking about Taos' history as an art colony. But in the same post I addressed the broader perspective of opportunity for young people growing up locally, to wit:
Quote:
Any child with the inertia and drive to strive for an outstanding education should have no trouble finding inspiration in the area. It's been my experience that talented and highly educated people generally are very charitable with their mentoring/tutoring if a young person shows an interest.
Now that I hope I've clarified my earlier remarks, I would like to add that there is a new charter school (public) in Taos, that gives talented children an opportunity for formal exposure to the arts:
TISA's design is a response to the Taos community's expressed desire for a school that brings together current national standards for education with a strong early childhood emphasis in the arts.
Now that I hope I've clarified my earlier remarks, I would like to add that there is a new charter school (public) in Taos, that gives talented children an opportunity for formal exposure to the arts:
... I don't see why a young person would stay in Taos.
Without tourists in would be 1/2 the size it is today.
Perhaps a few are smart/astute enough to stay for the same reasons that tourists flock there.
ie: it's hard to improve on paradise.
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I wonder just how much you actually know about Taos??? 
