Author: United Arts

Publication Year:

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Abstract:

This publication presents the first study of the state of arts education in the most populous county in the nation. The information will benefit all who are concerned about arts education.

The research provides both the LA County Office of Education and the LA County Arts Commission with baseline data on the districts in the county. This report makes clear that arts education is not the focal priority of the educational system. Therefore, there is a lack of centralized information or coordinated activity. Moreover, its findings revealed several fundamental contradictions:

• Contradiction #1:  There is a universal belief among respondents in the value of arts education to classroom learning, yet public schools do not provide sequential arts education.
• Contradiction #2:  There is a strong desire among district leaders to improve arts education in the county, however, there are no real incentives in place to drive their desire toward action.
• Contradiction #3:  79.7% of districts seek financial input and stability from future partnerships, but non-profit arts organizations, which have a high level of involvement in partnerships, are even more resource strapped than public education (58.2% of districts report expenditure of less than 1% of the total general budget on arts education).
• Contradiction #4:  There are numerous obstacles to delivering a structured, integrated approach to arts education in the county, yet outstanding, if isolated, programs do exist, demonstrating that the obstacles can be overcome.

CONTENTS
Introduction.
Background.
Methodology.
Summary of Findings (Contradictions #1- #4).

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education