Time to Celebrate Arts Education!

Arts in Education Week in Tennessee

September 10-16, 2023

Welcome to a new school year! Whether you are an arts teacher, a parent, a school administrator, a performing or visual artist, or a community member who values arts education, the beginning of the academic year is the perfect time to advocate for arts education. Think of arts advocacy as effective public relations, a chance to share the good news about arts education.

The majority of people in your community value arts education. According to a statewide study conducted through a partnership between ArtsEd Tennessee, the CMA Foundation, and Americans for the Arts completed in 2018, 89% of Tennesseans believe the arts are an essential part of the curriculum. Your community is ready and willing to support arts education; they just need someone to lead the charge. As a local arts education advocate, that role must be yours.

Our state’s elected leaders have provided you with a powerful tool for your advocacy. In May of this year the Tennessee General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution supporting arts education in the schools, proclaiming September 10-16, 2023 as Arts in Education Week in Tennessee. Setting this week early in the school year provides an excellent opportunity to promote the arts locally at a time when your community’s attention is on education.

Remember that the focus of your advocacy work is to ensure all students have access to the quality arts programs they need and deserve. This means we should amplify all aspects of arts education, not just one arts content area. The most effective local advocacy should lift up all the arts in your community. Seeing ourselves as a part of the arts ecosystem strengthens us all. Simply stated, when we work together in the arts, everybody wins.

Performing Arts

Share your rehearsal/performance schedule with your administration
Send an email to administration, faculty and school board listing your students’ accomplishments from last year
Invite your principal to come to a few minutes of a rehearsal, and share your instructional goals for the class
Publicize an upcoming performance
Become a member of your professional arts education association

Visual Arts

Display student artwork at your school in the office area where it can be seen by administrators, faculty and visitors
Find places in your community to display student artwork
Invite your principal to visit your classroom and explain the concepts you are covering
Publicize upcoming art shows
Join the Tennessee Art Education Association

All Advocates of School and Community Arts Education Programs

For school based arts programs, school board members, building and system administration, and school faculty are all a part of the target audience and have the greatest effect on these programs.
Community arts education programs often need support from a variety of areas to thrive. Arts organizations and nonprofits, local artists, school and city leaders and teachers are all vital to build strong community arts programs, and should all be targets for your advocacy work.
Ask to post an article about the value of arts education on school and community sites and social media. (Excellent articles to use are linked below)
Join a decision-making committee in your school or community to ensure the arts have a voice at the table when site or community based issues are discussed
Send a letter or email to your legislator thanking them for supporting Arts in Education Week in Tennessee. Find your legislators for the Tennessee Senate and House here.

Your advocacy is most effective when you are knowledgeable about why the arts matter. The list below includes great resources to help you make your case:

Why the Arts Matter in Tennessee, Americans for the Arts

This is an infographic created by Americans for the Arts specifically for our state last year. It highlights the impact of arts in both Tennessee and the nation.

Advocacy Toolkit, National Art Education Association

NAEA has a wonderful resource that is helpful for all content areas.

Advocacy Toolbox, Educational Theatre Association

This advocacy source has a number of helpful links, and is great for all content areas. Both community and school theatre advocates should also check out ETA’s Economic Impact of Theatre.

What School Leaders Can Do to Increase Arts Education, Arts Education Partnership

Created as a joint project of AEP and the National Association Elementary School Principals, this booklet is of great value for advocates of elementary arts programs.

Grassroots Action Center, National Association for Music Education

A useful resource for all content areas. It is especially helpful for those interested in learning more about national policies and national education legislation.

ArtsEd Tennessee is a statewide nonprofit that advocates for visual and performing arts education for all students in Tennessee by mobilizing a coalition of statewide advocates. Our coalition includes arts education associations, businesses, educators, community arts leaders, and others who value arts education.

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