In November of 2006,the Colorado Council on the Arts
convened an Arts
Learning Task Force charged with developing a vision for
arts learning and
drafting policy recommendations for the agency’s role. Task Force
members
were chosen to represent a broad constituency of Influence:
educators,
school, district, and state education administrators, legislators,
higher
education representatives, the state board of education,
business leaders, foundation directors, municipal and youth
service agencies, parents,
artists, arts advocates and arts education managers. The
Task Force produced the following Vision statement and
the advocacy brochure Arts Learning
In Colorado; More than an Elective.
Vision and Action Statements from the Arts Learning Task Force
Arts Learning in Colorado: More Than An Elective
In a global economy, creativity and innovation are the keys to competitiveness. Learning in and through the arts stimulates creative and analytical capabilities, and is therefore fundamental to ensuring that today’s students are prepared for tomorrow’s jobs.
The Colorado Arts Learning Task Force affirms that:
- The arts are a uniquely human endeavor and every individual is a lifelong participant in the arts at some level—from appreciation to creation.
- Through the transformative power of the arts we explore our individual differences, celebrate our collective histories, and build bridges across diverse communities.
- Learning in the performing, visual and literary arts promotes problem-solving, analytical thinking, and team-building, and contributes to the development of a creative, inquiring, and motivated citizenry.
- Arts learning contributes not only to our quality of life, but also to Colorado’s vitality and prosperity, both through formal study and as a means to learn other subjects.
Accordingly, the Colorado Arts Learning Task Force endorses increasing the number and quality of arts learning opportunities for students pre-school through college as a means to achieve the fullest expression of creativity and innovation for Colorado in the 21st century. To this end, we invite students, parents, elected officials, educators, businesses, arts producers, foundations, and other community leaders to join us in implementing the following Action Steps for Advancing Arts Learning in Colorado:
- Ensure that every Colorado elementary, middle, high school and higher education student receives a quality education in the arts.
- Require meaningful ways to measure student and school performance in arts education.
- Ensure general teachers, arts teachers, school administrators and artists have access to quality preparation and ongoing professional development in effective incorporation of the arts throughout the curriculum.
- Conduct and disseminate Colorado-based research concerning the value and impact of arts learning in Colorado schools.
- Create a statewide advocacy effort for advancing arts learning championed by the Governor’s office and diverse leadership at the state and local level.
- Secure sustainable funding for arts curriculum development, research and evaluation of student outcomes, teacher preparation/professional development and public awareness.
