Pocono News Section

Budget Cuts Could Affect Fine Arts

Budget Cuts Could Affect Fine Arts - Friday, July 24, 2009 at 6:10PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Friday, Jul 24, 2009 @ 06:10pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- We found about a dozen kids with fancy footwork here. They were part of the "Kids at King's Ballroom Blitz." But potential cuts in the state budget could hurt programs like this.

"For the Cha Cha, you have to move your hips a lot," said McKenna Dolan, a seven-year-old in the class. "And with swing, you do a lot of dances."

"You can learn a lot of moves and teach somebody else," added eight-year-old Julia Filchek.

Professional dancers Lauren and Raphael Cooper taught the class. But Raphael says with cuts slated for fine arts funding in the state budget, classes like these could become scarce.

"If we lose arts, we lose it in the schools, and we lose it outside," Raphael said.

Seven-year-old Mollie McFarland enjoyed learning four new ballroom dances this week. Her dad told us, he hopes funding for the fine arts stays in tact.

"It's critical," said Tom McFarland. "My son is in the marching band, Mollie is involved in dance. It gives kids an outlet. They're not out on the street, playing video games, they're not just sitting watching TV. It's critical."

"This is something they can enjoy throughout their whole life," added Raphael.

And he says, that's possible with some help with funding in the state budget.