US House Resolution Designates March 27th- April 2nd as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week
New York, NY (March 25, 2016) — Congressman Leonard Lance has introduced a Resolution to the House of Representatives designating the week of March 27 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 House resolution, introduced by Representative Leonard Lance (R-NJ) co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, highlights the work of the 30 participating Young Audiences Arts for Learning affiliates. As an avid supporter of the arts, he states that “arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines… is an essential element of a complete and well-rounded 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.” Read the full resolution here.
Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) continues her support of Young Audiences’ work with a letter stating that “the arts are super heroes of education – inspiring students, broadening young minds, fostering creativity and imagination… When we make the arts a central part of learning, everyone wins.”
YA Week is being observed across the country in 22 states by the entire Young Audiences network of 30 affiliates. The YA affiliates will celebrate this special week with events, school activities, residencies, and performances promoting awareness of YA’s arts-in-education programs.
David A. Dik, YA’s National Executive Director states “Young Audiences sees the arts as languages of interpretation and understanding. We realize that in the 21st century, written, oral and numerical literacies are just as important as our understanding and application of design, shape, and presentation. The arts offer unique solutions to both simple and complex problems and they are essential to the cognitive and non-cognitive success of young people in our nation today.”
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 8,350 schools and community centers across the country through its diverse network of 30 affiliates. For more information about affiliate YA Week events, see press contact below.
Press Contact:
Young Audiences Arts for Learning
Marcus Romero
T: 212-860-1563 X108, E: marcus@ya.org
www.youngaudiences.org
