Gaining the Arts Advantage: Lessons from School Districts That
Value the Arts Featuring over 90 profiles and case studies of
school districts in 42 states, this report reveals success
factors that lead to strong, district-wide arts education
programs. Summary of the Findings: This is the first national
study to look at arts education on the school district level.
The study's central finding from the educators who were
interviewed is that "the single most critical factor in
sustaining arts education in their schools is the active
involvement of influential segments of the community in shaping
and implementing the policies and programs of the district." It
explains that in districts with strong arts education, the
community—broadly defined as parents and families, artists, arts
organizations, businesses, local civic and cultural leaders and
institutions—is actively engaged in the arts politics and
instructional programs of the district. This central and most
critical success factor—the community—is more explici