County Council recognizes May as Arts Education Month in King County

May 5, 2014

Summary

Encouraging all communities to celebrate the arts with meaningful activities and programs for students, teachers, and the public

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today drew attention to the importance of arts education for the students throughout King County declaring May as Arts Education Month.

“Learning about the arts is as important to a child’s education as reading, writing, and arithmetic,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, prime sponsor of recognition. “Children with exposure to a diverse arts education grow up with the cognitive skills and ingenuity to not only enrich their community but work successfully in a variety of fields as well.”

“The arts enrich us both as a community and as individuals. It’s so valuable in school as an aid to enhancing and encouraging students’ creativity,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, a former public school teacher. “Art education is a positive teaching tool for teachers and parents.”

“Arts education helps to make a child’s education more dynamic,” said Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott. “I’m thrilled we could recognize this important work throughout King County, and I am hopeful that one day the arts will once again be prioritized in our schools.”

The arts, including dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, are defined as a core content area in Washington State’s definition of basic education, and are considered an essential component of a complete education that should be provided for all students. Education in the arts enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternate ways of communicating and expressing feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding—thereby supporting academic success across the curriculum, as well as personal growth outside the classroom.

“Arts Education Month is an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships in King County that encourage youth to participate in the visual, literary and performing arts” said Vice Chair Jane Hague. “The arts help them not only develop imagination and creativity but also skills in communication, critical thinking and problem solving.”

“Through the celebration of Arts Education Month, we continue emphasizing the right for people in King County to freely ‘participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits,’ as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett.

“A well-rounded education includes instruction in the arts,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “This month we take time to highlight the arts and their importance in the education of our students.”

King County invests in arts and heritage education through 4Culture, a public development corporation chartered by county government to promote arts and heritage programs for all King County residents and visitors.

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PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the arts, including dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, are defined as a core subject in Washington State’s definition of basic education and are considered an essential component of a complete and balanced education for all students; and

WHEREAS, the arts enable students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and ideas, as well as cross-cultural understanding—all which support academic success across the curriculum, as well as personal growth; and

WHEREAS, imagination and creativity are increasingly understood as critical capacities needed for success in the 21st century workforce; and

WHEREAS, the arts have the capability to transform our schools into places of creativity and exploration, where students want to learn, teachers want to teach, and all members of the learning community are more engaged and motivated; and

WHEREAS, a high quality arts education involves a wide range of partners, including school boards, district administrators, teachers, parents, artists and arts organizations, local businesses, and community members, whose collective endeavors can provide an equitable arts education for all students; and

WHEREAS, we applaud the efforts and dedication of arts educators and advocates around the state and call for school and community leaders to continue to broaden and strengthen their commitment to arts education for “Every Student in Every School”;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, proclaim the month of May 2014, as

ARTS EDUCATION MONTH

in King County and call on all residents to join us in recognizing the important role of the arts in education for all students.

DATED this fifth day of May, 2014.