Arts in Education Week
The U.S. House of Representatives Designates the Second Week in September “Arts in Education Week”
On July 26, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Con.Res. 275, legislation designating the second week of September as “Arts in Education Week.” The resolution had 101 cosponsors and was authored by Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) with encouragement and support of Broadway legend Carol Channing.
This resolution is the first Congressional expression of support celebrating all of the arts education disciplines – dance, music, theater and visual arts. This resolution comes at a key time when Congress is making plans to overhaul federal education policy through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
The resolution seeks to support the attributes of arts education that are recognized as instrumental to developing a well-rounded education such as creativity, imagination, and cross-cultural understanding. H.Con.Res. 275 also highlights the critical link between those skills and preparing children for gaining a competitive edge in the global economy.
As a House resolution, the bill does not require signature by the President upon its passage.
Link to the Americans for the Arts News announcement of the legislation
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the second Sunday of September as Arts in Education Week.
Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, 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 according to Albert Einstein, “After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists as well.”;
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;
Whereas the nonprofit arts sector is an economic engine and plays a significant role in the economic health of communities large and small with direct expenditures of wages and benefits as well as goods and services;
Whereas to succeed in today’s economy, students must masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to communicate;
Whereas as the Nation works to strengthen its foothold in the 21st century global economy, the arts equip students with a creative, competitive edge;
Whereas the arts provide the skills and knowledge students need to develop the creativity and determination necessary for success in the global information age;
Whereas where schools and communities are delivering high quality learning opportunities in, through, and about the arts for children, extraordinary results occur;
Whereas according to a study by the Arts Education Partnership entitled Third Space: When Learning Matters, schools with large populations of students in economic poverty can be transformed into vibrant hubs of learning when the arts are infused into the culture and curriculum;
Whereas studies have also found that eighth graders from Under resourced environments who are highly involved in the arts have better grades, less likelihood of dropping out by grade ten, have more positive attitudes about school, and are more likely to go onto college;
Whereas attracting and retaining the best teachers is vital and can be achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the arts, becoming havens for creativity and innovation;
Whereas arts education has the power to make students want to learn not just within the arts, but other areas of study;
Whereas art is integral to the lives of United States citizens and essential to the health and vitality of communities and the Nation; and
Whereas the week beginning on the second Sunday of September would be an appropriate week to designate as Arts in Education Week: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress— supports the designation of Arts in Education Week; calls on governors, mayors, and other elected officials from across the United States to issue proclamations to raise awareness of the value and importance of arts in education; and encourages the President to issue a proclamation encouraging the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate activities.
Advocacy "Basics" Resources
• American Association of Museums Advocacy Information
• Americans for the Arts – Arts Action Center (with links to finding local, state and federal legislator and media contacts)
• Arts Education Partnership – The source for research compendia and policy information on the national and state level
• Keep Arts in Schools – An online community for arts education advocates
• Kennedy Center Advocacy Toolkit – A good basic “how to” for effective advocacy
• MENC, The National Association for Music Education - Advocacy and Public Policy Resources
• National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Arts Education Tab
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