MACTThe arts should be an integral part of all students’ lives
Imagine … a country where everyone has access to—and takes part in—high quality and lifelong learning experiences in the arts, both in school and in the community. What can we do together to ensure that the next generation receives a well-rounded education that includes the arts?
The arts are essential. They teach students innumerable lessons—practice makes perfect, small differences can have large effects, collaboration leads to creativity. The arts also teach children that there a several paths to take when approaching problems and that all problems can have more than one solution.
Research has also shown impressive benefits of arts education on entire school culture—especially student motivation, attitudes, and attendance. Numerous reports discuss the ways that increased access and involvement in arts education encourage students to stay in school, succeed in school, succeed in life, and succeed in work.
And yet, despite the impressive benefits of arts education, not every student has access to these quality learning experiences. And the arts programs our schools do offer are often the first programs to be affected when budgets are cut.
In a 2018 poll conducted for Americans for the Arts, they found that:
- 91% of Americans believe that the arts are a part of a well rounded education
- 94% of Americans believe that the arts should be taught in grades K-12
- 94% believe students should receive an education in the arts in elementary school
- 94% believe students should receive an education in the arts in middle school
- 93% believe students should receive an education in the arts in high school
- 89% of Americans say that arts should also be taught outside of the classroom in the community
- 74% of Americans agree that the arts help students perform better academically
These number are all up from the previous time this poll was conducted in 2015. Americans overwhelming believe that the arts are an important part of our children’s education. Let your School Board and administration know that arts education is important for all our children!