Truth!

Teachers know how truthful this statement is. Visual and Performing Arts educators know that their ‘classroom’ goes WAYYYYY beyond the four walls of a ‘classroom’. Arts classrooms extend to the hallways, school offices, the football field, the local library, the Memorial Day parade, other community locations and many other ‘places’. Dedicated arts educators are at the HEART of exemplary schools. Without the passion, energy, dedication, patience, perseverance, and love from arts educators, schools would look VERY different.

As we kick off Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Art Month, oh heck – ARTS EDUCATION MONTH, please take the time to shout about the value of visual and performing arts education. (Sometimes others need to be reminded!). Below the image are links to the national professional arts education organizations to learn more about some of the work that they are doing.

HAPPPPPPY ARTS EDUCATION MONTH!

NAEA

The National Art Education Association has been celebrating Youth Art Month since the 1960’s. Check out what NAEA has to offer on the topic. The purpose of YAM is to emphasize the value to children from participating in visual art education. 

CFAE

The Council for Art Education provides tons of resources to help you plan. They have ideas on their site that teachers and students are engaged in across the country. The ideas range from school based to community, both large and small. You can sign up for their free newsletter and receive information on a regular basis.

NAfME

The National Association for Music Education has been recognizing Music in Our Schools Month since 1985. The idea started in 1973. You can learn what NAfME has to offer on MIOSM by CLICKING HERE. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that schools is where all children should have access to music.

EDTA

The Educational Theatre Associationand the International Thespian Society and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) all provide resources for theater educators. Their resources are directed towards Thespians, schools, and educators. The purpose is to raise public awareness of the impact of theatre education and draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students.

NDEO

The National Dance Education Organization celebrates the artistic and academic achievements of exceptional students through the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NAHSDA) by teaming up with the US Department of Education during March. Learn more about their advocacy work by CLICKING HERE.