Radio Commentary
March is Arts Education Month, focusing on dance, drama, music, and the visual arts – essential parts of basic education for all students.
There is no doubt that the arts should play a major role in the education of young people. Visual and performing arts are a form of expression and communication essential to the human experience, and truly deserve a regular place in our classrooms.
Arts education plays a critical role in developing initiative, creative ability, self-expression, self-reflection, thinking skills, discipline, and a heightened appreciation of beauty and cross-cultural understandings.
Many young people find great joy in artistic expression. For some, it is an outlet and a source of inspiration. It helps them keep connected to their teachers and their schools.
Many professional arts education associations hold celebrations in March, giving California schools a unique chance to focus on the value of the arts for all students.
The current California arts education policy states that each student should receive a high quality comprehensive arts education program.
The state arts task force that I chaired several years ago made recommendations we hope result in a renaissance in arts education. The focus is made even more important in these challenging economic times when arts education is often the first place to cut.
Celebrating Arts Education Month is one way to support the important efforts to keep the arts in our classrooms.
