The arts are a critical and essential part of every child's education. The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to feature outstanding examples of arts education: youth engaged in learning through the arts.
We invite you to take a few minutes to experience the great work being done in schools, arts organizations, and community centers across the state. If, after that, you still wonder about the value of arts education, check our our arts education resources and links.
2012 March for Arts in Education Month
First Lady of Delaware, Carla Markell
Highlighting the value of the arts in every child's education, First Lady Carla Markell introduces Excellence in Arts Education, this year's series of outstanding arts education programs being offered in schools and community centers around the state. These signature programs demonstrate the power of collaboration between schools and arts organizations, and reveal the short- and long-term impact that the arts have on student learning and preparation for the 21st century workforce. (View on TeacherTube)
Art Therapy Express uses the unique power of the arts to allow children, teenagers and adults with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges to express themselves. (View on TeacherTube)
The Junior Docents program at the Biggs Museum engages 6th and 7th graders at the Campus Community School in Dover in identifying and researching art from the Biggs exhibitions to develop tour presentations for fellow school students, teachers, administrators, family, and friends. (View on TeacherTube)
Pegasus ArtWorks is a multidisciplinary after-school art program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware that teaches self-discipline and critical thinking skills through innovative, literacy-based arts programs for Delaware youth ages 5-16. (View on TeacherTube)
The Totally Awesome Players (TAP) Program, established in 1992, has become the cornerstone of the Delaware Theatre Company's Youth-At-Risk Program. TAK employs acting skills and the creation of a play to increase the social skills and creativity of young people with intellectual disabilities. (View on TeacherTube)
Engaging young students isn’t always easy, but Opera Delaware’s Wilmington Youth Opera Program has combined story, song and study into an exciting educational opportunity at a local elementary school. (View on TeacherTube)
Warner Arts Alliance
The Warner Arts Alliance, a coalition of arts organizations working with the Warner School, infuses the arts into the curriculum. Each organization works with a different grade level, from pre-school to fifth grade, to enrich the lives of underserved students. (View on TeacherTube)
Featured from 2011 March for Arts in Education Month
In 2003, Senator Dorinda A. Connor authored an Act under Senate Bill No. 116 of the 142nd General Assembly, designating the month of March as
March for the Arts in Education month. Senator Connor envisioned a month devoted to combined and concentrated efforts to celebrate arts education throughout the state-recognizing the critical role that the arts play in providing a well-rounded education for Delaware's youth.
By supporting arts education, the Division believes that Governor Markell's goal can be achieved, "working with Delaware's excellent educators to ensure we have the best possible public schools. Employers want to know that their children will have a great place to learn and that our schools will graduate young people ready to thrive in the work world."
CELEBRATING ARTS EDUCATION