The Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council Task Force on Arts Education in Maryland Schools

The arts are essential to the well-being of Marylanders, to the fabric of our communities, to the economic health of the state, and to the competitive edge of Maryland businesses. Students who have the opportunity to study the arts during their PreK-12 education are taught the skills and capacities that can lead them to becoming creative, innovative voices in the scientific and business sectors, active audience members and contributors to the cultural community, teachers of the arts, and artists. Dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts are core academic subjects that need to be part of every child’s education.

The arts in public education are in danger of being marginalized. Budgets have been cut, positions have been lost, and arts education programs are receiving less time in the school day. There are pockets of excellence throughout Maryland, but there are also schools where students do not have access to the arts. Preparing students to be college and career ready is an important goal, and the arts can be invaluable in that effort. The Common Core State Standards (now referred to as the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards) are an important reform effort in Maryland; the arts have a significant role to play in those reforms. More importantly, the arts stand on their own as core to the content, skills, and capacities to be delivered to our students. The evidence is overwhelming, and as thoughtful educators and stakeholders in the future of our youth, the research cannot be ignored.

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