There are phrases I use often as an arts educator. I use them with children as well as adults who are just about to experience a breakthrough, but stop short due to the fear of failure. I whisper “keep going”; I say “let go and let God” or “don’t hold back” ; I shout “GO WITH IT!” or “ FAIL FORWARD! ” Sometimes these phrases work and sometimes they don’t. It is the most profound hurdle to learning and growing: the ability of a student to move playfully through failure while maintaining forward motion.

The older we grow the more we learn to protect ourselves from what Shakespeare coined as “the slings and arrows” of daily living. As toddlers we took our first steps, and because we were just learning about balance and coordination we often ended up on our little tushies. We were not sensitive to the laughter from our families. We felt encouraged and celebrated with every attempt and we kept trying until we got better at it. There was no fear of failure, only playful learning with a healthy sense of humor. In later years though, as we took our knocks from other kids, well-meaning teachers and parents, we developed a method to protect our hearts.To escape judgement we either pretended not to care or we decided not to try anything new in front of almost anyone. As adults, many of us still operate from our comfort zone, sticking to what we know and only allowing a precious few to see the unguarded version of ourselves.

Every artist must first honestly experience their own vulnerability, understanding it and allowing inspiration to flow through it, and then decide to share it with others. Some paint or write as a means of expression. Others use photography or sculpture, usually to be indirectly experienced by others. This type of art is vital as it provokes, connects and engages us. It causes us to think and helps us understand other cultures and our own humanity. It also inspires and encourages performance artists. 

Vocalists, musicians, actors, magicians and comedians create their art in real time, inviting judgment whether it comes as praise or as criticism. It takes tremendous courage and conviction to be a live performer. Most adults would find it challenging and many teens would never even try. The truth is, most successful teen and adult performers started when they were very young and learned how to manage their emotions and feelings using their art form. They learned as kids not to simply push through their feelings or to hide them from others, but to use them as fuel for their creativity.They learned to tap into their self-doubt and to work within the contrast between what compels them and what frightens them. Being good at that doesn’t make them immune to anxiety or depression but it does help them work through and resolve their feelings. 

It is not unusual in lessons, classes and show rehearsals for students to have doubts or feel frustration. Regardless of talent and experience there is always more to learn and more practice necessary to achieve our continuing goals. I am not the kind of teacher who expects perfection. To be quite honest, I don’t even believe in perfection. Art, like life, is messy and it isn’t about getting it right or being perfect. What is most important to me is a productive attitude, regardless of how it’s going. It isn’t that you can’t hit the note, it’s how you react to not hitting the note that is going to color the experience of creating art. I just want my students to love creating art and keep creating art so that the channel stays open and the inspiration can continue to flow.

I am a performing arts educator who works with young children because I believe that if we all had that training and experience as kids, we’d manage much better as teens and we’d be happier adults, regardless of our occupation. I fervently hope to instill the joy of playful learning, working through contrast and failing forward with every student in our program. Imagine what we could accomplish if we could embrace our vulnerability and share our talents? What could we create if we just didn’t fear failure?