“Art Recession,” a documentary about the importance of art education, produced, written, and directed by Ming Lai of Humanist Films (Journey of a Paper Son)

Despite its huge impact, art education is often one of the first programs to be cut, especially when the economy is hard hit. “Art Recession” explores the importance of art education, showing how it teaches us to communicate, develops our critical thinking skills, helps us to learn other subjects, expresses our individualism, enriches our culture, builds our society, and ultimately conveys our humanity. This documentary then offers powerful ways to save it.

The documentary interviews the art world about this timely subject—from visionary artists and respected art curators to inspiring teachers and knowledgable museum educators to involved parents and promising art students. These thought-provoking interviews include Gary Baseman, Gary Blackwell, Michelle Borok, Denise Gray, Jason Holley, Brooke Kent, Monica Magana, Rachel Matos, Karol Heinecken Mora, Eric Nakamura, Paige Oden, Ming Ong, Ralph Opacic, Aaron Smith, Brian Stoebe, Courtney Stoebe, Tiffany Stoebe, Edwin Ushiro, Tianyi Wang, and P. Williams.

Lai was inspired to make “Art Recession” by The Mini Show, a group art exhibition to raise money for the Mini Lai Scholarship Fund, which honors the memory of his sister, Mini Lai, and benefits Art Center College of Design illustration students. The fund is managed by the respected California Community Foundation. Mini Lai is a proud alumna of Art Center’s prestigious illustration program.

Art Recession Trailer