Forty-nine (49) states have established content and/or performance standards that outline what students should know and be able to do in one or more art forms; forty-three (43) states require schools or districts to provide arts instruction.
Source: Education Commission of the States (2005), State Policies Regarding Arts in Education

America's creative industries are our nation's leading export worth over 60 billion annually in overseas sales including the output of artists and other creative workers in publishing, audio visual, music and recording and entertainment businesses
Source: NASAA Advocate

Listen to interviews with leading arts education advocates

Updated: 7/29/08

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Home > Resources > Talking points on arts education

Talking points on arts education

Problem

• Strong communities need strong schools

• Everyone in the community benefits when public schools succeed and schools can't succeed without strong arts programs.
• Schools need to focus on turning out well-rounded individuals who are ready to take their place as citizens, workers and responsible members of the community
• Sadly, too many school districts are cutting out the arts and risking our children’s futures.  This has to change.

Solution

• Strong schools have strong arts programs

• The real purpose of education is to help shape well rounded individuals and to educate the whole child and this requires integrating the arts into the curriculum.
• Schools need to help students demonstrate creativity and express themselves and the arts are the best way to make this happen.
• Sure English, history math and science must be a high priority for schools, and by integrating the arts you will see big improvements in these areas, too. 

Action

• Help grow arts education to grow strong communities, schools and students

• Arts education makes children whole.
• Teachers’ must help draw out the individual in every child and they want and need more training to be effective in this area.
• Ensure quality education for all kids by ensuring a strong arts integrated curriculum.

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To view an expanded list of resources, click here.

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