It was Albert Einstein who said, “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.” It’s this mindset that has encouraged both educators and students to embrace the arts.
Every year, beginning on the second Sunday in September, National Arts in Education Week celebrates the transformative powers of creative skills. For an entire week, the nation recognizes how arts education equips young people to succeed in all areas of life.
Arts in education drives student success by developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, boosting imagination and creativity, providing alternative ways to communicate and express ideas, improving understanding of other cultures, supporting academic success across the curriculum, and increasing personal growth outside the classroom. Studies have also shown that arts education can transform schools with large populations of students in poverty into vibrant learning hubs.
Arts education includes dance, music, theater, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts. Students can also explore other types of arts, which include digital arts, culinary arts, plastic arts, and architecture.
Educators, principals, students, and parents can participate in Arts in Education Week by hosting a celebration of the arts in their school or community. These celebrations may include art exhibits, talent shows, special performances, presentations, readings, and art competitions.
During the week, advocates of arts education are encouraged to work with their elected officials and decision-makers to share the value of arts in education. Americans for the Arts offers advocacy resources and event toolkits.
This is also a week for those who have been positively affected by arts in education to share their stories. Help spread awareness for this week on social media with #NationalArtsInEducationWeek or #BecauseOfArtsEd.