Art is so much more than art, and here's why.
Interview with Randy Parker, former head of computer animation for Walt Disney and currently COO for GeeGuides, an education company

Q:  So your name is attached to such Disney films as Brother Bear and Fantasia 2000, what made you decide to get out of the Disney film-making business and develop the geeART16 online art curriculum?

A:  Working at Disney and being surrounded by so many brilliant artists was a tremendous educational experience for me.  And it helped me realize how I can turn my artistic skills into an educational experience for children.  So our team of former Disney animators turned their talents towards education, starting in the visual arts, since that is our primary background.  But our passion goes beyond basic art instruction.  The arts build a critical foundation for learning by helping us stretch our limits creatively, mentally and emotionally.  So our first curriculum, geeART16, not only teaches art concepts, but also encourages personal growth and self-expression through the arts. We hope one day to build out our curriculum series to encompass many other subjects as well.

Q: So, your current focus is on art, why art?

A:  It’s a passion.  To us it’s like developing a second language – a visual language that has the power to be universal.  Although our first curriculum focuses on art, the benefit to the student’s educational experience is so much bigger than that.  The arts represent a way for students to visualize and interact with the world in which we live.  The ability for art education to raise student’s performance in all subjects has been measured in studies.  Art is an invaluable subject, and we want to do everything we can to make sure it can be a part of the core curriculum in our schools.  And because of the unique way that geeART16 integrates technology with learning and exploration, it has the added benefit of helping to prepare students for the highly tech-oriented world that they are entering.

Q:  Does an arts education lead to a viable career, and if so, is that in art or something else?

A:  There are certainly many viable art-based careers – I was surrounded by individuals in various levels and dimensions of art careers at Disney for example.  But art is more than a career path; it’s a fundamental way to develop the left side of your brain.  The ability to be creative and think outside the box, combined with the critical-thinking skills that art instills, will only serve our students well in any career path they choose.

Q:  Why teach through animation?

A:  For starters, it’s fun!  Animation brings universal appeal to the learning process and helps create an environment in which students don’t even know they are learning. Each lesson uses a blend of humor, animation and storytelling to build a strong foundation in understanding and interpreting art, and it’s fun. The combination of audio, animation and interactivity keep students motivated and emotionally engaged in what they’re learning, which research has shown leads to better understanding and retention levels.  And did I say that it’s fun?

Q:  What makes your approach to teaching so different from what is currently out there?

A:  Well, besides the fact that it’s taught by two penguins and a polar bear – I think the focus on self-discovery and self-expression makes it unique.  We’re not just interested in teaching the elements and principles of art, but more importantly, in helping the student understand how and why to use them.  Encouraging students to find their voice and explore ways of expressing it through the “language” of art is a primary focus of this curriculum.