From my previous writing at the Arts and Science Council blog I received a question:

"At Arts Day we advocated for local grassroots funding and arts education (requiring 6-12 graders to accumulate an arts education credit before graduating high school). Why were you advocating for these issues and why do you think they are important for Charlotte-Mecklenburg?"

My answer: I didn't receive any arts education until I was 11 years old. I was fortunate to start in a school that had a significant focus on music, and as a result I received training in classical piano until I completed my high school. I believe music education had the biggest impact in my life more than any other subject I studied. I learned through it the meaning of sensibility and attention to details, discipline, focus on work and excel, among others. I transferred those skills into my professional areas (finance and visual arts) and I'm sure this particular education contributed in accomplishing my goals. I strongly support arts education in the youth because it opens their minds more than anything else, and as a result the community receives better professionals. A well trained workforce translates into economic prosperity and benefits for everybody. 

I wrote this today for the Arts and Science Council's blog about my experience during Arts Advocacy Day:

As an artist, I am aware of the importance of the arts to motivate and enlight the community. This is perhaps why Eli Broad famously quoted "Civilizations are not remembered by their business people, their bankers or lawyers. They are remembered by the arts". That is why I didn't hesitate to join other activists and go to Arts Day in Raleigh, NC, to advocate for the arts. 

It was my first time at the legislative building and I didn't know what expect. Among other activities, I was assigned to talk to a congressman and a senator, and I had no appointments. To my surprise, the doors of the representatives were opened. They received me within few minutes, were very courteous, and listened carefully to my message: to communicate through my own experiences why it is important to support this wonderful way of human expression. Literally it was democracy in action. It was definitely a great experience to me.