U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono of Hawai‘i and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, both Democrats, recently introduced the Arts Education for All Act, which would support and expand access to arts education and programming for young learners throughout the nation.
“Arts and creative expression are fundamental to a well-rounded education,” said Hirono. “Art education programs provide our students with the unique opportunity to express themselves and expose them to diverse array of topics and disciplines. But these programs are often the first to be cut and the last to be funded, and it’s high time for a fundamental shift in the way we value those courses.”
The Arts Education for All Act would increase states’ ability to implement arts programming for early learners, K-12 students and youth and adults involved in the justice system.
The legislation would also strengthen research into arts education to help educators and policymakers better understand how the arts can support students and compliment their elementary and secondary education.
“Arts education gives students the opportunity to learn, express themselves and discover new talents, but too many young people lack access to these opportunities,” said Luján. “All students, no matter where they live or their background, deserve the opportunity to experience the arts.”
Specifically, the Arts Education for All Act would:
- Strengthen the ability to use Child Care and Development Block Grant funding for arts programming.
- Expand Elementary and Secondary Education Act plan provisions to include descriptions of how states would support and encourage arts education staff, instruction and partnerships to improve student achievement throughout subjects.
- Require state report cards under the Every Student Succeeds Act to include information about arts courses and incorporate arts education as an element of K-12 school improvement.
- Increase opportunities for local educational agencies to support professional development for arts teachers and the integration of the arts.
- Strengthen the integration of arts and arts education through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program by maximizing partnerships with community and arts-focused organizations to increase arts education and creative youth development in after-school and summer learning programs.
- Allow states to document how they will coordinate juvenile justice and delinquency prevention services and activities with state and local arts agencies and organizations, using arts education to improve re-entry efforts and reduce recidivism.
- Enhance research activities at the Institute of Education Sciences through a focus on arts and arts education research.
- Direct the National Assessment Governing Board to re-instate arts assessments.
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democratic Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon.
The Arts Education for All Act is endorsed by 132 national, state and local organizations and individuals, including Americans for the Arts, American Art Therapy Association, Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Grantmakers in the Arts and National Association for Music Education.
