Arts Education Resources Peninsula Arts Council has three main areas of focus: Arts in Education, Public Art, and Developing San Mateo County into a Destination for the Arts Parks and Culture. Parents, Teachers, Artists -- explore the links on this site and become an active advocate to preserve funding for quality arts in education in our communities and schools.

Fact: Americans 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)
• Arts education is mandated in the State Education Code. It is NOT “optional”.
• 85 percent 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.

(Ready to Innovate, from The Conference Board, Americans for the arts, and the American Association of School Administrators)
Arts Education and At-Risk Populations:

• Arts education has a measurable impact on at-risk youth 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.
• Arts education in schools increases test scores across every subject, lowers drop out rates and helps close the achievement gap regardless of socio-economic status.
• Extensive research shows arts education engages students.

(Youth ARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice; Arts Education Partnership, CAAE)

Arts Education Helps Prepare Students for the 21st Century Workforce:

• Extensive research shows arts education engages students.
• 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.
• Creativity/innovation rates are among the top five skills sought by US employers.

(Business Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, Arts at the Core of Learning 1999 Initiative- Fact sheet developed by A. Flanagan, LAUSD Arts Education Branch 2009, California County Superintendents Arts Initiative, California State PTA and Peninsula Arts Council.)
Resources:
Be A Leader for Arts Education:  PTA/CCSESA Handbook
http://www.ccsesaarts.org/content/expand_arts_learning.asp

Keep Arts in Schools: How to Give a School Board Presentation
http://www.keepartsinschools.org/Resources/GuideToEditorialBoardMeetings.php

An Unfinished Canvas-Fact Sheet- A Summary of Research Conducted by SRI International sponsored by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
http://policyweb.sri.com/cep/publications/AnUnfinishedCanvasFactSheet.pdf

The Insider’s Guide to Arts Education Planning. Includes best practices, innovative ideas, templates and strategies.
http://ww.artsed411.org/educate/guides.aspx

SMARTS is California State PTA’s program to encourage arts education.
http://www.capta.org/sections/programs-smarts/index.cfm

Follow these national visibility campaigns to gain more awareness of the importance of quality arts education in schools at Americans for the Arts http://www.artsusa.org/