Two Ways to Support Arts Education for Every Student Now

Every student deserves a full, vibrant arts education that reflects their needs and creativity. That’s why the dance community must act on two opportunities we have to support arts education: 

• Call for a New York City budget that supports arts education for every student
• Work to develop more equitable National Arts Standards

Why this matters:

Arts education is vital to ensuring the social and emotional well-being of students, improving academic outcomes, and creating pathways to future opportunities in the arts . Yet, only 21% of New York City public high school students have access to dance education. Compounded by federal attacks on the Department of Education, it is more urgent than ever to secure and protect access to a robust arts education in public schools. That’s why expanding dance education in public schools is a key advocacy priority in the Our New York City Dance campaign.

What you can do:

• Tell City Council to pass a New York City budget that fully funds arts education for every student. Dance/NYC has joined the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable to call for a city budget that ensures every NYC public school has a certified arts teacher and dedicated arts education funding.
• Complete the National Coalition for Arts Standards survey by May 16. This survey helps shape new National Arts Standards that guide curriculum for students across the country. We must guarantee they reflect the full diversity of dance and its potential to empower students.

TELL THE CITY COUNCIL IT STARTS WITH THE ARTS

TAKE THE NCAS SURVEY