Maine: 2016 Statewide Arts Education Census

Over the course of the 2015-16 school year, the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) and the Maine Department of Education took stock of the arts education resources available in the state’s 759 preK-12 schools. The main goal of the 2016 Arts Education Census, as seen in its survey questions, was to locate where high-quality arts learning is and isn’t available to students. The census had a 95% response rate, with 579 schools participating, thanks to “Project Champion” Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary fame, who engaged principals, and to teacher-leaders from MAC’s Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. MAC’s report of the 2016 arts education census, which accounted for 97% of Maine’s nearly 184,000 preK-12 students, makes comparisons with data from the 2009 arts education census and offers recommendations to local and state policymakers. A steering committee—composed of teachers, superintendents, arts leaders and representatives from the Maine Principals’ Association, Maine Alliance for Arts Education, Maine Art Education Association and Maine Music Educators Association—helped guide the 2016 census, which received additional financial support from Jane’s Trust and the Maine Community Foundation. For more information, contact MAC Director of Arts Education Argy Nestor.