Akademie Remscheid e.V.
It does not take long topersuade small children, to move to music, to beat a rhythm, to sing alongwith a melody, to play role games or to paint or to make figures out of plasticine.This is part and parcel of their everyday life and it is at the same timethe most powerful motor in their development.
Creative and artistic activity is indispensible in life: for the olderchild, for teenagers and for adults. During such activities we experienceenjoyment and validation, enrichment and development. Unfortunately thesenatural talents disappear if they do not receive stimulation. It is thereforeimportant that children in nursery groups and in schools, inyouth groups,in music schools and in art schools are encouraged to be creative and toconcern themselves with drama and dance and with music and art. And becausechildren and young people growing up today are very influenced by the media,a critical and at the same time chreative approach to the press, radio,television, photography, video, computers and the internet is also necessary.
The Remscheid Academy has, for more than forty years now, had the taskof developing concepts in these fields, has given support and provided training.Its first priority is to qualify professionals from cultural work and youthworkto instruct and guide children and young people with competence. It organizescourses, long-term advanced training, conferences and workshops, and itpublishes books for use in education.
A second focal point of its work lies in the development of new conceptsfor the practice of cultural education. For it is especially important thatthe education of children and young people move with the times and tasksinto account the changing framework and the changing interest of young people.
The third task of the academy is to carry out effective lobby work forthe cultural interests of children and young people. Of course there aregerman and international regulations and laws which secure the rights forculture and play and for education and participation. Nevertheless it willneed many responsible and creative individuals involved in politics to createthe stimulating milieus which are necessary for young people to be awareof their rights.
All of this costs money. Above all: money from taxes, which allows notjust the children of wealthy parents receive cultural education. It is theRemscheid Academy’s opinion that: if there is a worthwhile investmentfor our society, then it is the investment in the cultural education ofour children. The work of the academy ensures a rising generation rich inideas, for the nation, its culture, its economy and its politics.
Most important for us however, is that cultural education helps every youngperson to attain the abilities needed to lead a good, happy and successfullife.
Prof. Dr. Irmgard Merkt
Chairwoman of the Supporting Association
Prof. Dr. Max Fuchs
Director of the Remscheid Academy