Learn about the Arts in Arizona
I would teach children music, physics and philosophy, but most importantly music, for the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys of learning. – Plato
Do you believe that Arizona students should have access to the arts? If you do, you’re in good company: according to a recent Harris Poll, over 93% of Americans agree that the arts are vital to providing children with a well-rounded education.
A tremendous body of research stands behind the benefits of arts education for students, including improved academic performance, greater leadership and social skills, advanced creative problem solving skills, and overall enhanced ability to compete in a 21st Century workforce. Not to mention the mountain of evidence supporting the positive effects of arts-based learning on school attendance, student motivation and a child’s sense of belonging.
But for kids struggling with academic, social or familial challenges, the arts can change lives – as the arts offer safe outlets for creative expression, teach vital life skills and keep kids on the right track.
To learn more about the value of the arts, how the arts community enriches in-school arts education, and the state of arts education in Arizona, review the documents posted here and watch videos of Arizonans articulating just how the arts impact their lives. Next, visit the Arts Learning section and Resource Library for information about the Arts Commission’s many programs and services offered in the area of Arts Learning. Then join the effort to make sound decisions in support of Arizona kids and the future of our state.
Published in 2010, the Arizona Arts Education Census provides the first-ever comparative study of arts education offerings in Arizona’s K-12 public schools. This comprehensive report includes information about curriculum, instruction, funding and other factors that contribute to the delivery of arts education.
Comprehensive data from the first-ever comparative study of arts education offerings in Arizona’s K-12 public schools, published in 2010.
Is it important to keep strong arts programs in our schools? How does study of the arts contribute to student success? This booklet provides policymakers, educators, parents and advocates with fact-based, non-technical language documenting compelling research on the value of arts learning experiences.
Rapid changes in the global economy mean creativity, flexibility and a wider knowledge base are required within a competitive 21st Century workforce. This report describes how arts education enhances vital skills and prepares youth for workforce entry.
This document contains all of the “fast facts” published within The Choice is Art website, under categories titled Success in School, Safe Outlets for Creative Expression and Competing in a 21st Century Workforce, as well as select data from the Arizona Arts Education Census.
Did You Know?
Student participation in arts-based learning increases school attendance and educational aspirations. – Critical Links, Arts Education Partnership, 2002.
Arts participants are more likely to show improvement in attitudes toward school, self-esteem and self-efficacy than non-participating youth. – YouthARTS Development Project, Department of Justice, 2000.
85% of business executives indicate they have difficulty recruiting creative individuals. The demand for creative thinkers increases as firms pursue innovation. – Ready to Innovate, 2008.
Students receiving arts-based instruction for at least 3 hours on 3 days of each week are 4 times more likely to win awards for writing essays or poems. – Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, 1998.
Students receiving arts-based instruction for at least 3 hours on 3 days of each week are 3 times more likely to be elected to class leadership positions. – Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, 1998.
Students who participate in the arts, both in school and after school, demonstrate improved academic performance. – Dr. James S. Catterall, UCLA, 1997.
“To prepare our children for the creative economy they need a comprehensive education.” – The Flight of the Creative Class: The New Global Competition for Talent, Richard Florida, 2005
Arts-based learning nurtures motivation, including active engagement, disciplined and sustained attention, persistence and entrepreneurial risk-taking. – Critical Links, Arts Education Partnership, 2002.
Employers (56%) and superintendents (79%) agree that a college degree in the arts is the most significant indicator of creativity in prospective job candidates. – Ready to Innovate, 2008.
High school students who take 4 years of arts and music classes score 91 points better on their SATs than students who take one-half year or less. – The College Board, 2009.
Employers rate “creativity/innovation” among the top 5 skills required of employees, and rank finding employees who possess those skills among their top challenges. – Ready to Innovate, 2008.
Arts participants develop strength, resiliency and self-image allowing them to participate in society on healthy terms. – Robert K. Ross, M.D., The Power of Art: Pathways to Healthy Youth Development, 2006.
The U.S. is home to 668,267 creative industry businesses. They employ 2.9 million people, representing 4.05 percent of all U.S. businesses and 2.18 percent of all U.S. employees. – Dun & Bradstreet, 2010
Arts participants are half as likely to have new court referrals as non-participating youth. – YouthARTS Development Project, Department of Justice, 2000.
Students receiving arts-based instruction for at least 3 hours on 3 days of each week are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. – Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, 1998.
93% of Americans agree the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children. – Harris Poll, 2005.
Students receiving arts-based instruction for at least 3 hours on 3 days of each week are 4 times more likely to participate in math and science fairs. – Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, 1998.
Arts participants demonstrate increased ability to express anger appropriately, communicate effectively and work cooperatively with others. – Youth ARTS Development Project, Department of Justice, 2000.
For young people, quality high school speech/theatre programming develops teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills through adulthood. – McCammon and Saldaña, Lifelong Impact, 2010.
Among 11 subjects offered in high school, superintendents rank arts activities in the top 4 that are most likely to develop creativity. – Ready to Innovate, 2008.
Direct participation in art-making leverages individual life skills. – Powerful Voices: Developing High-Impact Arts Programs for Teens, Surdna Foundation, 2002.
Only 37% of Arizona schools provide students with opportunities to learn from Artists in Residence. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
“You can’t teach kids algebra if they don’t want to live. And art appeals to life. It appeals to the part of the brain where imagination lives.” – William Strickland, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh.
87% of Arizona schools offer at least one arts class. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
Arizona students receive 55 minutes of music and visual arts instruction per week, in contrast to dance and theatre, which never exceed an average of 15 minutes per week. – Arizona Arts Education Census.
Students who participate in the arts, both in school and after school, are more active in community affairs than other students. – Dr. James S. Catterall, UCLA, 1997.
Students receiving arts-based instruction for at least 3 hours on 3 days of each week are 3 times more likely to win awards for school attendance. – Dr. Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University, 1998.
More Arizona high school students are enrolled in dance classes than in band, orchestra or theatre. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
134, 203 Arizona students attend a school without any access to arts instruction provided by a highly qualified arts teacher. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
For young people, quality high school speech/theatre programming develops heightened historic, cultural and social awareness through adulthood. – McCammon and Saldaña, Lifelong Impact, 2010.
Arizona schools, on average, spend less than half a penny a day per student on arts supplies. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
Students who participate in the arts are provided with safe spaces for physical and creative security. – Powerful Voices: Developing High-Impact Arts Programs for Teens, Surdna Foundation, 2002.
Only 55% of Arizona schools provide instruction in both music and visual arts. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
Arts participants are less likely to drop out of school. – Dr. James S. Catterall, UCLA, 1997.
Students who participate in the arts, both in school and after school, demonstrate lower dropout rates. – Critical Links, Arts Education Partnership, 2002.
Only 8% of Arizona schools repot having adequately equipped facilities for dance. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
34% of Arizona’s rural schools do not have a highly qualified arts teacher, compared to 15% of suburban schools. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
Children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory compared to children who do not receive musical training. – Dr. Laurel Trainor, McMaster University, 2006.
For young people, quality high school speech/theatre programming develops empathy and emotional intelligence through adulthood. – McCammon and Saldaña, Lifelong Impact, 2010.
75% of Arizona schools participate in arts-based field trips. – Arizona Arts Education Census Project, 2010.
“The arts provide opportunities for youth from all backgrounds to do something positive with their talents and time.” – Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, 1998.
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