No art left behind : the state of arts education today and solutions for tomorrow
Capstone Project (B.A.) Liberal Studies Department
Abstract
Due to the lack of funding and the implementation of standardized testing, arts education is diminishing from the curriculum in many elementary schools. Unfortunately, the loss of arts in the classroom negatively impacts children’s development, the use of their creative minds and their academic success. Local art organization and program leaders were interviewed about the state of arts education in our schools, speaking out about how their programs are helping to expose children to art and what needs to be done to integrate art into the classroom. Preliminary data analysis indicates that local art organizations are providing art to children that do not receive arts education in their schools. The local art organization directors also believe that arts education is important to a student’s well-rounded education. As a result of this project, members of the local area were urged to make a change to the current structure of arts education by contacting their local congressmen about the importance of the issue.
