Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:
* 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
* 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
* 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
* 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
* 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:
* Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
* Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
* Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
* Perform community service more than four times as often
Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations, Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998)
The facts are that arts education…
* makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries.
(Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998)
* has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention.
(YouthARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts)
Businesses understand that arts education…
* builds a school climate of high expectation, discipline, and academic rigor that attracts businesses relocating to your community.
* strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
* helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting–skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
* can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning.
* provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations.
* helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
* helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done.
(Business Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, “Arts at the Core of Learning 1999 Initiative”)
Dig Deeper
Proof of the Power of Arts Education
Read highlights of key national research on the impact of arts education on children and learning. These brief findings offer links to publication summaries that link to full publications online (when available).
How High Do We Reach?
What is it exactly that our kids should be able to do when they study the arts? We’re glad you asked. Standards for arts education have been developed by arts and education experts at the national level, and most of our states have followed suit.
How Have We Done So Far?
National Assessment of Educational Progress: 1997 Arts Assessment Report Card
An ongoing project of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) regularly tests students in different academic subjects, including dance, music, theatre, and visual art.
