MosaicGlobe - Your free artist portfolio website, blog and art directory

ARTICLES

Article: National Art and Humanities Month

October 18, 2008

Arts Advocacy in the White House

October is National Arts and Humanities Month. A time for artists, art organizations and art supporters across the nation to recognize the importance of arts and culture to our daily lives. As an organization, MosaicGlobe was developed as a means to showcase and support the creative community - and we believes that the support of the arts and arts education is critical to the emotional enrichment and economic well being of our nation. Study after study has concluded that beyond enriching our lives, the arts play a vital role in student learning and economic growth. However, federal support for the arts and arts education in our public schools have steadily declined over the last 20 years.

National Arts and Humanities Month PSA

The Research
According to a recent report by the Arts Education Partnership, Schoolchildren that participate in arts learning experiences (ie. dance, drama, music and visual arts) tend to do a better job at mastering reading, writing and math than those who focus solely on academics.

Economically, it is believed that the arts and cultural organizations contribute direct benefits as taxable employers, producers and spending consumers (buyers and audiences); and indirectly by attracting new creative and educated residents, tourists and businesses to creative hubs. Research would seem to suggest that nationwide, cities are tapping the arts as a way to revitalize their local economy.

However, perhaps more important than art as an economic engine is how the arts impact us as a community and personally - and our desire to share that experience with the next generation. Art has the power to encourage communication and change lives.

Vote for the Arts
You have no doubt, been inundated with political advertisements asking for your vote based on any number of issues. However, how do the candidates stand on the arts and in support of arts education? Of interests to the creative community, only Barack Obama has issued a detailed arts policy statement. You can view the policy on his Web site: "A Platform In Support Of The Arts". Obama also formed a 40-plus national arts policy committee to formulate his campaign proposals in this area.

As artists/voters head to the polls this November, please remember which candidates support the arts, culture and our creative economy. The policies developed at the federal level will definitely impact your local arts community.

Resources
Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement (2006)
Why is it so important to keep the arts strong in our schools? How does the study of the arts contribute to student achievement and success? These and other important questions are addressed in a new booklet published by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) in collaboration with the Arts Education Partnership (AEP).

Education Commission of the States: New Arts Education Report
Findings and recommendations from the Governor's Commission on the Arts in Education.

Gifts of the Muse: Reframing the Debate About the Benefits of the Arts
This widely-acclaimed RAND report, commissioned by Wallace, examines the evidence for the full range of artsï¿½ private and public benefits and concludes that the national discussion of these benefits should place far more emphasis on the ï¿½intrinsicï¿½ pleasures of the arts that benefit not only individuals, but the public good as well. The report calls on policymakers to promote arts experiences at a young age as a critical gateway to a lifetime of benefits.

Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences
This documents the key role played by the nonprofit arts and culture industry in strengthening our nationï¿½s economy. This study demonstrates that the nonprofit arts and culture industry is an economic driver in communitiesï¿½a growth industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism.

The Role of Arts in Economic Development
NGA Center for Best Practices - States and communities have integrated the arts into their economic development arsenal to achieve a wide range of direct and indirect economic goals. Arts programs have served as components of high-impact economic development programs by assisting state and local government in restoring and revitalizing communities by serving as a centerpiece for downtown redevelopment and cultural renewal