By supporting arts education, state arts agencies help to foster young imaginations and facilitate children's success in school. Arts education also provides the critical thinking, communications and creativity skills essential to 21st century success.
Express Yourself Drummers perform Bounce at Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre. Set design by youth from Express Yourself. Photo by Bobbie Bush, courtesy of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Key Research Tools
A Research Based Communication Tool Kit This comprehensive document brings together rigorous research, program models and communications templates that confirm and clarify the importance of arts education for our nation's youth.
Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement This concise research summary responds to the needs of policymakers, educators, parents and advocates who want factual, nontechnical language describing the value of arts in learning.
Arts Education State Policy Database Maintained by the Arts Education Partnership, this searchable database contains information on state arts education policies, including curriculum standards, graduation requirements, assessment practices and certification requirements.
Arts Education Partnership Publications This site contains more useful research, including Champions of Change and Gaining the Arts Advantage.
An Introduction to Scientifically Based Research This monograph offers an understanding of scientific research as a tool for making informed policy recommendations for arts education.
Statewide Arts Education Assessments
From Anecdote to Evidence provides research guidance for assessing the status and condition of arts education at the state level. Also be sure to explore the state-level studies conducted in Alaska, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington.
About State Arts Agencies
Arts Education Fact Sheet This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the major grants and services that state arts agencies offer in support of arts education.
State Arts Agency Arts Education Profiles Comprehensive descriptions of each state arts agency's arts education programs and services are available in this document.
State Arts Agency Arts Education Managers Professional Development Resources
NASAA coordinates the national network of state arts agency arts education managers, facilitating their professional development and helping them to lead successful arts education program and policy efforts in each state.
National Partners
National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts provides leadership to develop and sustain arts education nationwide. The agency has led efforts to make the arts a part of the core education for all K-12 students and to increase arts education opportunities outside of school.
Arts Education Partnership The Arts Education Partnership is the nation's leading forum for advancing arts education research and policy. Founded by the Council of Chief State School Officers, NASAA, the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Education, the partnership now includes hundreds of business, philanthropic and government organizations working together to promote education policies supportive of arts education.
State Education Agencies Directors of Arts Education This network is a professional development community of state department of education representatives for arts education.
Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network is a coalition of statewide nonprofits working in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to support programs and practices that make the arts an essential part of K-12 education.
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Chaired by the First Lady, this committee focuses on arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy and economic revitalization through the arts and humanities. One of its leading programs, Coming Up Taller, is managed by NASAA and recognizes outstanding after-school arts and humanities programs for youth.
For More Information
For more information on arts education research, contact Director of Research Angela Han, 202-347-6352 x115. For more information on the national network of state arts agency arts education managers, contact Arts Education Manager Carmen Boston, 202-347-6352 x131.