Funds for the Arts in our Schools and Assessment of School Districts Support of Arts Education

Please read this important letter in full from Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, which addresses the weaknesses of the current state of arts education in our country, and where funding is available and how it should be used, including professional development. Pass this information on to those who make funding and grant writing decisions in your district, and make your principals aware of the upcoming survey they will receive.


The Secretary of Education
Washington, DC 20202

August 2009

Dear School and Education Community Leaders:

At this time when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring to your attention the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children's development and learning process.

In June, we received the 2008 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) in the Arts results for music and visual arts. I was reminded of the important role that arts education plays in providing American students with a well-rounded education. The arts can help students become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively. These qualities can be especially important in improving learning among students from economically disadvantaged circumstances. However, recent NAEP results found that only 57 percent of 8th graders attended schools where music instruction was offered at least three or four times a week, and only 47 percent attended schools where visual arts were offered that often.

Under ESEA, states and local school districts have the flexibility to support the arts. Title I, Part A of ESEA funds arts education to improve the achievement of disadvantaged students. Funds under Title II of ESEA can be used for professional development of arts teachers as well as for strategic partnerships with cultural, arts, and other nonprofit organizations. In addition, the Department's Arts in Education program support grants for model program development and dissemination and for professional development for arts educators. Moreover, local school districts can use funds under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the arts along with other district expenses.

Because of the importance of the arts in a well-rounded curriculum, the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) plans to undertake a survey to assess the condition of arts education in grades K-12. This fall, elementary and secondary principals will be asked about their schools' offerings in music, dance, theater, and visual arts. Next spring, NCES will survey elementary classroom teachers as well as music and visual arts specialists at the elementary and secondary levels about their programs and resources. In early 2011, the Department expects to begin reporting findings from this comprehensive profile, the first since the 1999-2000 school year. This data will help practitioners and policymakers make more informed decisions about arts education.

We encourage you to visit the Department's website for arts educaiton at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/programs.html to learn more about our grant programs and find resources to meet the challenges ahead. Together, we can and should do better for America's students.

Sincerely,

Arne Duncan

SWVAEA Educator's Art Show

Before you get caught up in your students' art, it's time to think about an exhibition for your artwork. We will have the SWVAEA Educator's Show at WVTF in Roanoke for members. The hanging is October 1st. We will be collecting artwork at our workshop and meeting in late September (more info to come) and will also be willing to rendezvous with those of you that are too far from Roanoke to bring your work. You just need to email annepfeiffer@verizon.net to arrange a rendezvous pick up of your work before October 1st.

The open house will be October 16th from 5-7. Edible Vibe Cafe will cater the event and the Mike Mitchell Trio will entertain us. We can thank Jennifer Villa and WVTF for the catering, music and publicity of the show.

Your 2D artwork must be framed, or if a canvas, have hanging wire attached. There is also room to exhibit sculpture and fineart crafts. On the back of your 2D work (or attached to your 3D work) attach a note with name of artist; NAEA membership number, contact information including mailing address, email and phone; title; medium; dimensions; and price (or NFS). We will have a number next to each work of art with a list at the front door. Please also add a note if you give us permission to take a photo of your work for our blog and/or a future VAEA newsletter. If you have an artist statement or postcard please include several copies for display in a binder, as well as to pass out for those interested in your artwork.

Please think about participating, especially those of you far from Roanoke. This exhibit is one way to remind the community of our presence and to build relationships, especially important during this time of budget cuts. You can also get recertification points for participation and we will mail you a certificate.

If you have anymore questions, email annepfeiffer@verizon.net.