National Association of State Directors of Art Education (NASDAE) Column: Spring 2023

Funding and Policy in Arts Education

Column by: Andy Meadows, NASDAE President-Elect

As President-Elect of the National Association of State Directors of Arts Education (NASDAE), I am honored to address the members of the National Art Education Association (NAEA). NASDAE Interest Group members are the visual arts program managers for the Departments of Education in each state. They are often a silent driving force behind arts education advocacy, professional development, and arts initiatives that serve arts education programs statewide. I am excited to take on the role of President at the conclusion of the NAEA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Visual arts education is an essential component of a well-rounded education. It provides students with the opportunity to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It also promotes self-awareness and confidence, encourages collaboration and communication, and enhances cultural awareness and appreciation. Despite the abundant benefits of visual arts education, the funding of arts initiatives is not always prioritized.

While funding is integral, leaders who prioritize visual arts education as part of teaching and meeting the needs of the whole child are a critical component of advocacy. Currently we may have up to two generations of education policy makers and administrators prioritizing curriculum decisions who may have never experienced arts education opportunities during their K–12 education. This means recognizing the value of visual arts education and incorporating it into the curriculum, ensuring that it is not neglected or overlooked due to other priorities.

According to a 2019 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, 94% of elementary schools in the United States offer visual arts instruction, but only 45% of high schools do so. This is concerning, given that high school is a critical time for students to develop their skills and explore their interests before moving on to college or the workforce. It is essential to provide students with a comprehensive visual arts education that prepares them for the future and gives them the skills they need to succeed and encourages a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

In addition to prioritizing visual arts instruction, it is also crucial to support instruction by allocating funds. According to NAEA (2020), funding for visual arts education has been declining in recent years, with many schools struggling to provide adequate resources for their programs. This can result in reduced access to art supplies, outdated technology, and limited opportunities for professional development for educators. To address this issue, arts leaders must advocate for increased funding for visual arts education and work with school administrators and policy makers to promote arts programs and to ensure that funding is allocated and spent appropriately.

In conclusion, visual arts instruction plays a vital role in providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in the future. While funding is crucial to support visual arts education, prioritizing the arts as part of teaching the whole child promotes creativity and lifelong learning. As President-Elect of NASDAE, I look forward to working with NAEA members and other stakeholders to ensure that visual arts education is accessible and supported for all students and provide equitable access to quality arts experiences.

References

National Art Education Association. (2020). Advocacy. https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy-policy/arts-education-for-america-s-students

National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Arts education in public elementary and secondary schools: 1999–2000 and 2009–10. https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2012014

Kelly Bisogno, NASDAE President. Fine Arts Specialist, Virginia Department of Education. Email: kelly.bisogno@doe.virginia.gov