- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that nationally the arts and culture sector was a $876.7 billion industry in 2020, representing 4.2% of the nation's GDP, 4.6 million jobs,and total compensation of $446 billion.
- Art education equips students to form mental images, which can be used to solve problems—an ability that chemists, engineers, and architects use to create models and that inventors use to think up new ideas.
- The Partnership for 21st Century Skills asserts “the arts are among society’s most compelling and effective paths for developing 21st Century Skills in our students.” A comprehensive art education fosters the CREATIVITY and INNOVATION needed for a more competitive workforce.
- WI business leaders cite giving and receiving constructive feedback as an essential skill students are lacking, a skill taught and practiced primarily in secondary visual art. (Advocacy Chair: Audience to speech by Tony Evers - current WI Governor - stating the constructive feedback skill deficit)
- Many WI high schools offer AP, IB and/or Dual university or technical college credit for Visual Art, Media Art and Art History courses increasing college readiness.
- Art Education is Essential because “in the 21st century global economy, the arts equip students with a creative, competitive edge. The arts provide the skills and knowledge students need to develop the creativity and determination necessary for success.” Arts Education Unified Statement (2020), NAEA.
- Students with a high level of arts engagement are also more likely to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Emerging Art Healthcare Careers: Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78% deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients—shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.
- Teacher Retention: Arts integration encourages dynamic instructional practices that promote deeper learning, while at the same time rejuvenating teachers at risk of leaving the teaching profession (Bellisario & Donovan, 2012).
- In addition to serving as an entry point to deeper learning and engagement in academic content, arts programming provides a meaningful context for honing skills that are viewed as highly valued in the workplace, such as creativity, leadership, and innovation (Bellisario & Donovan, 2012; Clover, 2006; Dewhurst, 2009; Heath, Soep & Roach, 1998; Moga, Burger, Hetland & Winner, 2000).
- Improved Work Ethic: Research demonstrates that once students experience success in arts classes, they are better able to understand and appreciate the benefits and processes of the hard work that goes into all learning.
- Enhanced Capacity for Career Success: According to multiple studies and surveys of business leaders, music and the arts open pathways to creative thinking, which can be a key element in career success in fields outside the arts. According to a 2010 IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs, creativity was identified as the number-one leadership competency of the future.
- 150+ Art Careers - The Ultimate List
- The Art Career Project
- Some colleges require fine arts credit for admission (sample) and many Art and Design Colleges and Programs require a portfolio for admission (sample) into the program or scholarships (sample).
- WI Art and Design Education programs include Visual Thinking in the areas of: Design, Visual Communication, Visual Culture, and Fine Art.