According to the National Arts Index, arts and music preparation by college-bound seniors has been declining since 2009.  To quote:

“Between 1998 and 2009, the percentage of college-bound seniors with four years of arts or music grew from 15 percent to over 20 percent.  Since 2009, however, the share of SAT test takers bringing this credential to their college application process slid to 17.4 percent, suggesting that pervasive arts education cuts in the 2000s are now having the downstream effect that was long a concern.  Ironically, the College Board reports that students who take four years of arts or music average about 100 points better on the verbal and math portions of the SAT, compared to those with a half-year or less.”

Studies have shown students who study the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, be elected to class office, and score higher on the SAT. They are less likely to be involved with drugs and students who were in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances. The Creative Coalition, mostly made up of people in the arts industry, supports bringing, and keeping, the arts in schools.

We encourage you to e-mail and fax your Senators and Representative and ask them to support the arts in public education.

CLICK HERE for Senators contact information
CLICK HERE for Representatives contact information.