The Lasting Impact of the Arts in Childhood | Shelia Fortson (Bonus Episode)

When we think about the arts for our kids, we often think about piano lessons, dance classes, or learning how to paint. But the benefits of creative expression go so much deeper than developing a particular skill or talent. The arts can help children build confidence, process emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and discover more about who they are. Today I'm joined by Sheila Fortson, founder and executive director of the FAME Center (Fortson Arts and Music Education), to explore why the arts are such an important part of childhood development and how we can make more room for them in our children's lives.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
• Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
• Book: Wanting: Mimetic Desire: How to Avoid Chasing Things You Don't Truly Want
• Book: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
• Connect with Shelia
• Website

About Shelia |

Sheila Fortson is an Arts Education Advocate, Child Development Expert, and Social Impact Entrepreneur. As the Founder & Executive Director of the FAME Center (Fortson Arts and Music Education Center), a Chicago-based nonprofit, Sheila is on a mission to expand access to creative education for youth and families. In 2018, after identifying a lack of accessible creative programming in Chicago’s South Loop, Sheila applied her artistic background and entrepreneurial mindset to build a solution. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a high-impact community organization, supporting more than 950 individuals in 2025 ib everything from art therapy to creative writing for children. An advocate for arts education, Sheila is a strong voice on the role of creativity in childhood development and long-term outcomes, emphasizing that creativity is a critical tool for academic success, workforce readiness, social mobility, and CVI (community violence intervention).

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