By the California State Arts Education Committee
In March, California State PTA will be celebrating Arts in Education Month, a perfect time for PTAs to spotlight the vital role the arts play in student learning and family engagement. We want to help motivate you to start your planning now so you and your PTA unit can highlight the arts next month. Perhaps your school/PTA can plan an art showcase or a student performance. Plan a family art night, talent show, hallway gallery, or invite local artists to lead a class for families. There are numerous ways in which the arts can be celebrated with your school and community; the sky is truly the limit!
PTAs can also support arts education by advocating for strong arts funding, partnering with community arts organizations, sharing at-home creative activities, and celebrating teachers who integrate the arts across subjects. Together, we can help ensure every student has access to meaningful, creative learning experiences that inspire imagination, confidence, and connection.
The California State PTA Arts Education Committee will be sharing more details in the coming month: ideas on how to celebrate the arts, ways in which to advocate for arts in education, and information regarding Proposition 28 funding for the arts. Follow California State PTA on Facebook or Instagram to get the latest updates, or visit our website to learn more about arts education.
Arts Education is a Student Right
Currently, only 11% of California Schools provide the mandated visual art, music, dance, theatre, and media arts classes to students. California State PTA advocates that every child should receive arts education. Share your feedback with us at bit.ly/capta-art-survey to provide essential data on our unit-level efforts to ensure that every child receives a complete and equitable education, which includes the arts. The deadline to complete the survey is February 28 and only one survey submission per PTA unit, so spread the word to your PTA leaders.
Champion the Arts with Your PTA
Visit National PTA’s website for more arts education resources to strengthen your PTA, or apply for a grant to support programs at your school.