Raleigh
Sep 12, 2016
Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed the week of Sept. 11-17, 2015 as Arts in Education Week in North Carolina.
"Arts education is an essential element of a complete and well-rounded education for all students," said North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. "Arts education contributes to increased attendance and graduation rates; elevates academic achievement; and prepares students for college, career and citizenship readiness."
This proclamation is part of the National Arts in Education Week organized by Americans for the Arts.
North Carolina has been an early leader of arts in education with policy and programming geared to every child in the state having access to a complete education that includes arts training, arts integration and arts exposure.
"The arts are an economic driver that spark jobs and attract tourism," said Natural and Cultural Resources Susan Kluttz. "They are also what makes our quality of life wonderful in N.C."
The North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, will place artists in schools through 10-day residency programs, tour performing arts groups through cARTwheels and will conduct a recitation program, Poetry Out Loud now through July 2017. More than 20 counties will host Traditional Arts Program (TAPS) providing youth with the opportunity to learn the arts of their heritage from musicians and other masters of traditional arts.
The Arts Council also oversees the A+ Schools Program, nationally recognized for its success in student achievement. A+ Schools celebrated its 20th anniversary last August as one of the longest running and most successful arts-based school reform program in the country.
"We are delighted that Governor McCrory has joined American for the Arts to recognize that arts in and out of the classroom are critical for students to succeed in the 21st century workforce," noted Sharon Hill, Director of Arts in Education for the N.C. Arts Council.
Read the Arts in Education proclamation.
About the N.C. Arts Council
North Carolina has long been recognized for rich traditions in crafts, literature, historical drama and music. Since 1964, when it was created by Governor Terry Sanford, the N.C. Arts Council has worked to strengthen North Carolina's creativity, invention and prosperity through its four core functions: creating a strong and efficient arts infrastructure across North Carolina; planning and implementing economic development initiatives; educating our young people; and researching the impact of the arts on our state. www.NCArts.org.