Students are the ones most impacted by policy decisions regarding the arts in schools. Arts Education Partnership‘s new report (published August 2022) centers student voices in the conversation about how we can transform educational systems, and discusses flexible learning environments, funding injustices, sharing power, relevant teaching and learning, and more. Read the report here.

Create CA‘s Creativity Challenge: The State of Arts Education in California report compares the 2019-20 school year to data from 2005-06 to show that though some schools have made incremental improvements in providing high-quality arts education, nearly nine in ten schools in California fail to provide state-mandated arts education. Read the report here.

The Black Teaching Artist Lab and Creative Generation published A Missing Narrative: Moving Towards Understanding the Black Experience in Teaching Artistry in the U.S., combining research findings and perspectives from Black teaching artists, educators, and cultural practitioners on three primary topics: 1) The Importance of Community, 2) Cultivation of Black-Centered Spaces, and 3) Discrimination within the U.S. Education and Cultural Systems. Read the report here.

“The Arts and Music in Schools – Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act” ballot measure is our chance to make lasting change in California’s students’ lives. The proposed ballot measure will provide substantial ongoing funding to public schools’ arts programs without raising taxes. Luna encourages ALL California arts and education organizations to join Create CA in endorsing and advocating for this measure that would go on the ballot November 2022. Create CA shares the following:

Here are a few reasons why voters should care about prioritizing arts funding.

• Students from low-income communities do not have equitable access to arts education.
• The arts are a tool for students’ mental health and wellbeing, especially in this current rise of student mental health challenges. 
• Art classes are proven to aid in academic achievement in other subjects.  
• Arts education helps decrease dropout rates and increase students’ chances of college success. 
• Arts education helps students discover their voice and use it for their community. 
• Arts education teaches students to be creative problem-solvers in every subject and area. 
• Business leaders need creative workers, no matter the field. The arts are essential for developing the 21st-century workforce.

This proposed ballot measure would:

• Dedicate ongoing funding to arts education for all California PreK-12 public schools without raising taxes. 
• Increase art educators in schools by 50%. 
• Ensure every California public school student participates in the arts during the school day.
• Increase equitable access by providing additional funds to schools serving low-income communities. 
• The measure also includes robust accountability and transparency requirements to ensure the money gets spent effectively. 

What you can do right now is: 

• Sign up for Create CA’s newsletter by clicking here. They’ll keep you informed about the next steps in the ballot measure process. 
• Sign the petition by clicking here. You’ll receive a printed petition in the mail with a pre-paid envelope to sign and return.
• If you work for or volunteer at a non-profit, ask the board to officially endorse the measure, then share your endorsement on social media and newsletter. Using these images to show your support on social media!
• Sign up to collect signatures!
• Learn how to get involved with the Arts & Music in Schools Initiative by connecting with the campaign team on Monday, March 14th at 2pm. Register here! 

On September 4th, Governor Newsom signed AB2257 which modifies AB5 and creates several exemptions from the stricter requirements around independent contractors and employees. Read the full bill here. What does this mean for artists? Check out Californians for the Arts resource page.

Dance artists across the country are collaborating to reimagine a more equitable and ethical dance world. Be a part of the conversation! Join the Creating New Futures facebook group, check out their in-progress working document and watch their Real Talk forum reflecting on their process.

Sometimes we need help talking to school administrators and other leaders about the value of arts education. Create CA offers a few resources here, including a short video to share to help you advocate for what you do.

Advocating for dance can just take a minute – it doesn’t always have to be a big action, and it certainly doesn’t need to feel intimidating.

The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) has been filming 1 minute advocacy videos as mini pep talks for all of us. Take a peek here for some inspiration!