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To be deprived of art and left alone with philosophy is to be dose to Hell. --Igor Stravinsky have more and more studies coming forward making the value of arts clear. Recently researchers in California and Switzerland found that children from ages three to four had improved learning capabilities following intensive music and visual arts training. A n d this has led some neurologists to speculate that the area of the brain responsible for understanding the arts and the area for understanding mathematics and science are interconnected . . . . so in a society where computers seem to be taking over and where everyone sees math and science knowledge as the only key to the future, . . . we [shouldn't] be ignoring this kind of research." Tomlin's statement was met with a resounding round of applause from the audience. A n audience member added that arts in education can also help a young person develop socially and gain confidence. The members of the final panel discussion. The Role of M u n i c i p a l Government, expressed that they were thrilled at the high turnout, as well as with the passion and support for the arts the audience demonstrated. The panel, moderated by arts commissioner John Kennedy, included City of North Vancouver councilors Barbara Perrault and Barbara Sharp, and North Vancouver District councilors Ernie Crist and Lisa M u r i . Perrault and M u r i are also arts commissioners. Each panelist expressed their love of and need for the arts in their lives. Crist claimed. "The arts makes one's heart beat s t r o n g e r . . . . we need to support the arts because it enriches all aspects of our lives." The panelists said they were proud that the city and district of North Vancouver were leading the way among municipalities in supporting the arts. Perrualt shared that the City and District Council, through the Arts Commission, is aware of such a need and is studying the possible development of a multiuse arts facility on the North Shore. This, too, led to applause of approval from the audience. It was a fitting end to a very productive day--a day demonstrating the spirit and strength of the local arts community, and especially o f the many volunteers who worked very hard to make the symposium a success. The day was also an opportunity for various local arts groups to show their stuff. A variety of artists displayed their work and the North Vancouver Youth Band, the North Shore Chorus, and the North Shore String Group performed. Arts commissioner and Arts Promotion Committee chair Kemble sums up the day: "Everybody on the committee was thrilled with the symposium. Not only did we vastly exceed the predicted registration, but the attitude of the day was extremely positive, energetic, lively, and interactive. We were worried we'd bring everybody together, we would not meet their expectations and there would be these uncomfortable silences. That certainly wasn't the case! It was a successful day of brainstorming. We more than met our goals in every aspect and certainly hope we did the same for all those who participated." A n official report on the symposium w i l l be written in the coming months and w i l l be made available to the public at the North Shore Arts Commission office at 148 East 2nd Street in North Vancouver. Commissioner Williams adds that anyone with ideas about the arts should feel free to contact the Arts Commission at anytime. "We are happy to hear from the public anytime, not just at a symposium time!" e© commissioner Julie Kemble. It featured the supervisor of Cultural Services for the North Vancouver Recreation Commission Oksana Dexter: Derek Simons, the co-ordinator of the Roundhouse Community Centre: and the co-ordinator of Arts and Multi-culturalism for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. Susan Gordon. Gordon stated that recreation and community arts are "a fabulous way to introduce arts into people's lives, to make them a part of their everyday experience, and to ensure a life-long interest [in the arts]." Simons agreed and added that cultural community arts "establish a sense of community and build participation." A s an example of this. Dexter highlighted the immense success and community support of and participation in the various cultural events--many of them outdoors in the summer--taking place in Deep Cove. The next discussion explored the Arts in Education and was moderated by arts commissioner Una Fester. Panelists comprised Katherine Laubman, program co-ordinator for North Shore Continuing Education; the band and strings co-ordinator for the North Vancouver School District, Lasse Leslie; and Barbara Tomlin, past president of the North Vancouver Band and Strings. The panelists expressed concern over the fact that many art programs have been or are threatened to be cut from school curriculums. Tomlin. who has three children in the North Vancouver school system, stated that "we know without much question today that young people gain academically and socially from arts education, but we also know that arts programs are viewed as less important as others and are always threatened when cuts have to be made." Tomlin added that this can be very dangerous to the development of a child, especially considering that "we Those communities that are the richest in their artistic tradition are also those that are most progressive in their economic performance and, I think, most resilient and secure in their economic structure. --John Kenneth Galbraith