US House Resolution Designates March 15-21 as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week
Presidential Letter Addresses the Importance of Arts Education
New York, NY (March 17, 2015) — Congresswoman Slaughter has introduced a Resolution to the House of Representatives designating the week of March 15-21, 2015 as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week (YA Week). This week will honor the contributions Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) has made to schools nationwide through its arts-in-education programs and to encourage Americans to recognize the important contribution the arts make to society. The office of the President has also acknowledged the work of Young Audiences Arts for Learning and YA Week with a Presidential Letter.
The House resolution, introduced by Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY 25th District) co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, highlights the work of the 25 participating Young Audiences Arts for Learning affiliates. As an avid supporter of the arts, she states that “arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines… is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students”. The House resolution also emphasizes that “arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills… which supports academic success nationwide as well as personal growth outside the classroom.”
In the Presidential letter, President Obama declares “Art does not just reflect our Nation–it shapes it. The arts can test our assumptions, spark our curiosities, and drive us toward becoming a more perfect Union.” Speaking about arts education, the President continues, “By bringing art into classrooms… organizations like Young Audiences Arts for Learning ensure America’s traditions of creativity and expression are passed on to the next generation. Opening minds and fostering passions, groups like yours cultivate appreciation for art in all its forms and reveal its power to help young Americans reimagine challenges not as barriers, but as creative opportunities.”
David A. Dik, YA’s National Executive Director states “On behalf of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning network, I would like to thank The President and Congresswoman Slaughter for their support of Young Audiences Arts for Learning and the arts-in-education field.”
YA Week is being observed across the country in 22 states by Young Audiences' affiliates with special events, school activities, residencies, and performances promoting awareness of YA’s arts-in-education programs. At the state level, the YA affiliate network has received many recognitions, among them are Young Audiences of Oregon and SW Washington which has received a Proclamation from the city of Portland and Young Audiences of Virginia which has received a certificate of recognition from the Governor of Virginia.
In New York City, the festivities will be kicked off with a lively panel discussion to address the opportunity gap in NYC and how arts organizations can help leverage the arts to close this gap for all of NYC children. The national organization of Young Audiences is partnering with our New York City affiliate, Young Audiences New York to sponsor this event that will take place on Wednesday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Crowell & Moring Law Offices, 590 Madison Avenue. The panelists will include leaders from the educational and corporate communities, and arts organizations. They will share their unique perspective on how all of us in the five boroughs can arrive at a sustainable solution. To RSVP and learn more about this event, click here.
Established in 1952, Young Audiences’ mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts. As the nation’s largest arts in education learning network, Young Audiences serves more than 5 million children and youth each year in 8,984 schools and community centers across the country through its diverse network of 30 affiliates.
The participating Young Audiences affiliates are:
