Arts and music education can be defining forces in a child’s life. Their time spent learning can help them capture and hone a lifelong passion, perhaps even finding a career along the way. Of course, extracurricular art and music lessons aren’t the only ways that kids benefit from arts education — the learning they do in the classroom is important too, and research has shown that it comes with a side of academic, physical, and emotional benefits.

The data on arts education speaks for itself, but despite this, it’s becoming less of a priority in the United States. The classroom time and budget allocations made for studying art, music, and theater grow ever smaller, which finds kids across the country missing out on these remarkable skill boosts.

It’s time to get the good word out about arts education, and what better time to do so than National Arts in Education Week? This year’s event, which runs from September 13-19, was born from a 2010 Congress resolution intended to encourage participation, celebration, and advocacy for arts education within the greater art community. Participants are encouraged to visit the event’s website to learn more about community events, and organizers can find a list of guidelines for creating an event of their own.

Finding reasons and ways to get involved isn’t hard, especially when reflecting on the benefits arts education is poised to deliver to our kids:

  • Better mental health, including reduced feelings of depression and anxiety, lowered stress levels, greater feelings of positivity, and higher self-esteem
  • Improved coordination through the development of gross and fine motor skills and hand-eye skills, as well as greater ability and confidence when trying out new tools
  • Overall scholastic improvements, including grade increases in other subjects, a higher IQ, and a greater likelihood of recognition for academic achievement

Find out about National Arts in Education events in your community today!