- Arts education in schools increases test scores across every subject area, lowers drop out rates and helps close the achievement gap regardless of socio-economic status. (Youth ARTS Development Project, U.S. Department of Justice; Arts Education Partnership, CAAE)
In a national sample of 25,000 students, those students “with high levels of arts-learning experiences” earned higher grades and scored better on standardized tests than those with little or no involvement in the arts-regardless of socioeconomic status.
Research shows clear developmental benefits of the arts in:
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- Motor Skills
- Language Development
- Decision Making
- Visual Learning
- Inventiveness
- Cultural Awareness
- Improved Academic Performance
- Social interaction
Young people who participate in the arts:
- Are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
- Have higher attendance and lower dropout rates.
- Have greater college readiness, low-income students with high arts engagement are more than twice as likely to graduate college as their peers with no arts education.
(Study by Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching)
Americans, and especially businesses, value arts education:
- 93% of Americans consider the arts to be vital to providing a well-rounded education for children and a critical link to learning and success. (2005 Harris Poll)
- 85% of surveyed business executives indicated that they are currently having difficulty recruiting individuals who possess creative ability with demand for creative people expected to grow as firms pursue innovation.
- 21st century workforce– Creativity is the #1 attribute sought by today’s employers. Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up. Think of the jobs that will be done by robotics and realize that innovation and creativity are the keys to future employment success
“The success of business depends on finding and cultivating a creative and innovative workforce. I have witnessed firsthand the power of the arts in building these business skills. When we participate in the arts, we strengthen our ‘creativity muscles,’—better able to identify challenges and innovative business solutions. ….. Forbes