Learn by art
Back to school season is a strong reminder for boosting creativity in the classroom
Fall is almost here. Labor Day weekend has come and gone, the unofficial end of summer. There’s a change in the air, stores stock their shelves with sweaters and all manner of boots, and visions of pumpkin-spice everything dance in our heads.
But the loudest alarm bell for the eve of the autumnal equinox? Raise your hand if you know the answer.
Yes, it’s back-to-school season. Even for the latest of school calendars, the Labor Day holiday typically marks the start of a new school year for our promising littles, middles, juniors, seniors, and every level in between.
As California’s students head back to the halls of learning, you have an opportunity to help guarantee the arts are there with them. If you filed a tax extension this year, read the paragraphs below and follow the instructions closely to pass the test for supporting arts education.
Arts education is crucial to the success of our students and our collective future. Creativity is the №1 attribute sought by today’s employers. Statistics show that arts engagement boosts attendance, lowers dropout rates, and encourages college graduation at twice the rate of students with no exposure to the arts during their school day.
The latest data from Create CA shows that arts participation in our schools has improved, but we’re still not where we need to be. Students who need the social and academic benefits of arts instruction the most — low-income students, English-language learners — are the ones most likely to be denied access.
Smart needs art, and every dollar counts. Do your part for keeping creativity inside California’s classrooms.
How to contribute
Between now and October 15, make a donation of $1 or more to the Keep Arts in Schools Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund. 100% of your tax-deductible contribution is applied to arts education programming supported by the California Arts Council.
Visit the California Arts Council Keep Arts in Schools page to learn more.
