Mission Statement
I started a personal site back in the late 90s, long before it was fashionable to do so. Over time, it evolved, becoming in 2004 a semblance of the LeliaThomas.Com you see today, minus a lot of bells and whistles. For a few years now, it has gone through a bit of an identity crisis as I have struggled to figure out how to mesh my passions (art and education) with what’s practical for me to do. I would like to think that I have finally discovered my artistic purpose in all this, however, and so I present to you my mission.
To promote creativity, the use of new media in educational settings, and critical, free thinking.
Creative Accessibility
I believe in freeing up creative works so that people may critically discuss them, creatively remix them and freely share them in noncommercial settings. In a world where works no longer easily enter the public domain (taking 75 to over 100 years to do so), I feel we are harming something vital to our culture: artistic expression, a part of free speech. I believe this is limiting future creative works in unimaginable ways, silencing debate through art and making honest remixers into criminals. In light of so many media behemoths suing individuals and lobbying to control innocent people’s creative behavior by way of the government, simply for using other artists’ content, I feel it necessary to free up my work. My site is devoted to creative accessibility and promoting it throughout the wider artistic community.
Promoting Artists, Writers and Musicians
I believe many today have a better understanding of art than generations past. However, when many think of art, they think of old masters, like Michelangelo or Van Gogh; a few may think of today’s highly-reported shock artists. Unfortunately, despite our stronger understanding of art, many are unaware of what is being created today, by everyday people who may or may not be professional, full-time artists. I consider this repeating history, leaving many great pieces to be recognized only after the artist has long since passed. This means that today’s culture is mainly left to be experienced and discussed in the future. To combat this, I believe in openly sharing information about new, up-and-coming artists, writers, and musicians. If you know of any, please let me know.
New Media in Education
I believe we have robbed children, particularly teenagers, of making small and simple choices in their lives, especially when it comes to creativity. We have done this, in an attempt to box children into standards that have proven beneficial for the average, rather than according to the individual need. I believe this can be changed by incorporating new media tools in the classroom, giving individuals more control and interactivity over their education. It is my belief that greater freedom in most all aspects of life promotes creativity, transparency and interest. Unfortunately, as of 2009, few schools and teachers recognize the potential of social networking, using the Internet to give options and complement studies, or using a variety of tools to be involved in students’ lives. Part of this site’s purpose is to promote discussion about the use of new media and nontraditional teaching methods in classrooms, how this might enhance learning experiences and any potential negatives.
