Learning and participation in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts are vital to the development of our children and our communities. Through advocacy, research, partnerships, and professional development, Americans for the Arts strives to provide and secure more resources and support for arts education through the Arts Education Network. Americans for the Arts also works with the Arts Education Council to provide feedback and support in this area.

JUST ANNOUNCED! National Arts in Education Week: September 12–18, 2010

Add your voice to the chorus and promise to testify on behalf of arts education at your local school board meetings.

On July 26, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring the week following the second Sunday in September as Arts in Education Week. While there are a number of established arts education-related recognitions already (such as Music in Our Schools Month or National Dance Week), this is the first congressional resolution to recognize all the disciplines: music, theater, visual arts, and dance.

Sponsored by Rep. Jackie Speiers (D-CA), the resolution states many important advocacy messages that the arts education field has been touting for years including:

“Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theater, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students…Whereas arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate, and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth outside the classroom..."

Americans for the Arts is gearing up plans to celebrate Arts in Education Week, beginning with another Arts Education Blog Salon.