GoArts News:
Education Committee Chairs Champion Value of Arts Education in Arts Days Press Conference
Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Education Committee (R-Plano) and Representative Rob Eissler, Chair House Public Education Committee (R-The Woodlands) championed the value of a fine arts education in preparing students for the 21st century workforce during a press conference in the Senate Press Room on Monday, March 9 at 11 a.m.
View the press conference (choose the 03/09/09 conference sponsored by Representative Eissler)
Arts Days at the Capitol featured the performances of over 1,500 students, representing 50 schools, 17 school districts, and 3 arts organizations. These students performed in the capitol rotunda and on the capitol south steps. Students also delivered arts advocacy packets to TEA staff and the Texas Legislature. For a video review of Arts Days, go to www.artseducationday.org (pending update).
House and Senate Pass Resolutions about the Value of Arts Education
Resolutions sponsored by Senator Shapiro and Representative Eissler
WHEREAS, Among the great resources of the State of Texas is the artistic talent and creativity of its citizens, and hundreds of young artists are visiting Austin on March 9–10, 2009, in celebration of Arts Education Days at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, More than 1.3 million middle and high school students in Texas are enrolled in fine arts courses, and over 2.3 million elementary school students are receiving fine arts instruction, with more than 10,000 creative men and women teaching the classes; and
WHEREAS, Visual art, music, theater, and dance offer outstanding opportunities for self-expression, and early exposure to the arts through educational programs greatly increases the quality of a child’s education; studies have found that students who participate in fine arts courses in school not only perform better in other academic courses, but also achieve higher scores on standardized tests; and
WHEREAS, Fine arts courses promote innovative thinking, a skill that is essential to succeed in college and the 21st century workforce, and they further provide unique lessons in the cultures of the world; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of students from and around the state are visiting the Capitol to share their talents through performances and displays in celebration of Arts Education Days at the Capitol; and
WHEREAS, The contributions that artists have made to the Lone Star State are myriad, and it is indeed fitting to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Texas art students and their teachers and to wish them well in all of their endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 9–10, 2009, as Arts Education Days at the State Capitol and welcome the students and teachers who are participating in this important event.