Arts School Can’t Audition Applicants Anymore, Have to Focus on Diversity Instead of Talent

An arts school in Brooklyn can no longer audition potential students because it would violate the district’s new diversity plan.  That’s right.  Talent doesn’t matter for an arts school, only “diversity.” 

Mayor Bill de Blasio approved a plan to do away with admissions standards at all middle schools in District 15, which will essentially invalidate the purposes of schools like New Voices School of Academic and Creative Arts in Sunset Park. Though the school used to base admissions on a careful screening of talent and interviews, admissions will now be based on lottery: 50% of the admission slots will be reserved for low-income, homeless and English-language-learning applicants.

Most parents weren’t happy.  For example, Eddie Rosario, 57, mother of a seventh-grader at the school, thinks this is absurd… especially since her daughter hopes to attend the school next year.  “I had no idea this was happening. I’m going to have to go to a meeting, call someone. My other daughter wants to go here, too. If they’re doing away with auditions … I’m going to have to talk to someone. What’s next? Are they changing the process at the arts high schools, too?”

Andrea James, whose daughter attends the school explained that it was “a huge leap” for her family.“They should be holding auditions, no question. Some of the kids, that’s the only reason that they get accepted.”

However, government bureaucrats want to “improve diversity” at schools.  So, let’s look at the numbers.  New Voices has 600 current students.  Of these students, 52 percent are white, 33 percent are Hispanic, 7 percent are black and 5 percent are Asian.

But you can never be “diverse enough” for politicians who specialize in identity politics. Regrettably, I think government officials will get their wish.  The school will soon be “diverse,” in that it will be full of both talented and untalented people… which students could’ve achieved by attended any school on any block.

Hat Tip: New York Post

Image Credit: MaxPexel