Arts Education helps Develop Fundamental Skills "In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education." President Barack Obama

	Arts Education Stimulates Creativity "We do not teach the arts to create great artists anymore than we teach math to create the next generation of mathematicians...We teach the arts in our schools to create great people so they are empowered with skills and knowledge to be successful in life." Robert Morrison, cofounder Quadrant Research Read more of Mr. Morrison's testimony to the Assembly Tourism and Arts Committee

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	The Arts are Vital to a Complete Education Preparing Youth with Critical Skills for a Lifetime Students who participate in the arts have higher math and verbal SAT scores and are less likely to drop out of high school. Americans for the Arts Ready to Innovate, a recent study published by The Conference Board, concludes that, "it is clear that the arts -- music, creative writing, drawing, dance -- provide skills sought by employers of the third millenium." Education in and through the arts prepares students with the skills they need most to succeed: creativity, imagination, critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, cross-cultural understanding, and more. Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement Arts education has measurable impact on at-risk youth in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance. YouthARTS Development Project

	Syleen Neely, Nicole Sigur and instructor Marybeth Dugan from the Franklin High School Modern Dance Program. "The arts are why I come to school every day." "The arts keep me out of trouble." "We are able to get over barriers that we create." These are just a few of the things Franklin High School students had to say about the arts programs that have helped their High School gain status as a Model School. NJ Model Schools in the Arts program identifies schools with exemplary arts education programs and pairs them as mentors with schools looking to integrate the arts more fully into the curriculum and school life. Schools are invited to apply for this distinction based on a combination of their score from the NJ Arts Education Census Project and other specific criteria like their ability to teach all four of the required Core Curriculum Content Standards in the Performing and Visual Arts. The program is managed by the NJ Arts Education Partnership, a collaboration between the NJ State Council on the Arts, the NJ Department of Education, the ArtPride NJ Foundation, and dozens of other agencies and organizations.

	Learn More About the Role of the Arts In Quality Education SupportMusic Community Action Toolkit - tools to advocate for a complete education that includes arts instruction for every child Sustainable Jersey Toolkit - strong school arts programs are a key part to a sustainable community. Find out how! New Jersey Arts Education Index - learn how your school's arts education program compares to others in the district, county, state and economic group Eloquent Evidence: Arts at the Core of Learning - a summary of rationales for integrating the arts in K-12 education The Arts Education Partnership - information about current and emerging arts education policies, issues and activities at the national, state and local levels Join hundreds of Arts Plan NJ endorsers in building a better NJ through the arts! endorse Arts Plan NJ