The arts are an equal and essential part of the curriculum if understood as rigorous disciplines of the mind and necessary vehicles of thought, no less than the sciences. (Author/IRT)

The arts are advocated not because they help children learn basic skills, but because the skills that are developed through the arts are basic to the complete growth of every human being. (Author/IRT)

The U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools exhibit best practices in art education, embodying high accomplishment, lofty aspirations, and transformative ideas. Principals should extend arts education offerings to all students; use the arts to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment of other subjects; capitalize on newer technologies;…

Principal describes how several arts-oriented initiatives helped improve at-risk student motivation and subsequent test scores at West Elementary School in Lancaster, Ohio. Initiatives included summer arts enrichment, integrated art and writing, coordinated music lessons, after-school tutoring, artistic discipline, schoolwide assemblies, and band…

Provides an overview of government involvement in art education, of support offered by various groups outside education, of some school arts programs, and of policy positions taken by professional associations. (IRT)

Discusses the key role of the principal in establishing an arts program in the elementary school. Briefly outlines some successful programs and points out sources of information on arts programs that would be useful for the principal. (IRT)

Summarizes findings of report "Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development," released in 2002 by the Arts Foundation Partnership. Report describes certain important relationships between the arts and academic and social skills. Describes what principals can do to link the arts with other subjects. (PKP)

A dedicated principal and staff have created an award-winning arts and music program in a poor rural community--only to run up against the crippling reality of budget cuts. (JM)

Research from the Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program, developed by Philadelphia's Settlement Music School, shows that the arts prepare children for further learning. Initiated in 1990, Kaleidoscope provides young inner-city children with full-day instruction three or four times weekly in visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Students…