Arts Education

Introduction

The Arts are core subjects in the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the NC Basic Education Program. As such, arts education is included as a core subject every child in North Carolina should learn as part of a balanced curriculum. We recognize and value the importance of arts education and strive to continue these activities as long as possible adhering to federal, state, and local health guidelines. Arts education benefits students and society, by increasing students’ capacities to: 

• Understand human experiences
• Work as a team and collaborate with others
• Use creativity to make decisions solve problems
• Adapt to and respecting others' diverse ways of thinking, working, and expressing themselves
• Understand the influence of the arts and their power to create and reflect cultures
• Analyze nonverbal communication, making informed judgments about products and issues
• Communicate effectively

Preparing for Lifelong Learning

We believe the arts greatly enrich the basic educational experience and prepare students for lifelong learning. Dance, music, theatre arts and visual arts are central to the standards-based curriculum. Study in the arts helps students develop skills in creativity, communication, collaboration, making connections, analysis, critique, problem-solving and self-discipline.

Elementary students explore music and visual arts.  Magnet schools offer additional electives in dance, instrumental music (band, strings) and theatre.  Even more choices become available in each of the arts areas for students to expand their technical and artistic skills in middle and high school.  

Parents can help students make real-world connections to the arts by talking with them about their classroom experiences, participating in their school-based activities and attending arts events in the community. 

Rigorous arts classes focus on technical skill development, creativity and artistic appreciation.  Students share their work at school and in the comamunity through performing festivals and visual arts displays.  Along with the Wake Education Partnership, City of Raleigh Arts Commission and the United Arts Council of Raleigh/Wake County, our Arts Education Department produces Pieces of Gold – a celebration of the arts showcasing the creative excellence of Arts Education in our schools.