Governor McCrory Celebrates Arts In Education Week | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory said learning about art is critical to developing the critical thinking skills that will help students compete in the marketplace as well as enhancing their next visit to a museum or gallery.

    "Arts education is an essential ingredient of a complete and well-rounded education," said North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. "To succeed in today's economy, students must master traits that business leaders demand, such as critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity and collaboration."

    The governor has proclaimed the week of Sept. 13 - 19, 2015 as Arts in Education Week in North Carolina. This is the first time Arts in Education Week has officially been recognized in North Carolina. The proclamation is part of the National Arts in Education Week organized by Americans for the Arts.

    "We are delighted that Governor McCrory has joined American for the Arts to recognize that arts in and out of the classroom are critical for students to succeed in the 21st century workforce," noted Sharon Hill, Director of Arts in Education for the N.C. Arts Council.

    The North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources, will place artists in schools through 10-day residency programs, tour performing arts groups through cARTwheels and will conduct a recitation program, Poetry Out Loud. More than 20 counties will host Traditional Arts Program (TAPS) providing youth with the opportunity to learn the arts of their heritage from musicians and other masters of traditional arts. These investments across the state in arts in education programs totals almost $590,000 this fiscal year.

    The Arts Council also oversees the A+ Schools Program, nationally recognized for its success in student achievement. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015, it is the longest running and most successful arts-based school reform program in the country.

    Read the Arts in Education proclamation.

    To find out more about the N.C. Arts Council's education programs, please click here.

    To learn more about the A+ Schools Program, please visit http://www.aplus-schools.ncdcr.gov.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov