Thursday, September 16, 2010


Arts in Education Week Proclamation
announced by Mayor Marks
on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

Whereas, arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students; and

Whereas, arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth outside the classroom; and

Whereas, to succeed in today’s economy, students must masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to communicate; and

Whereas, as the arts equip students with a creative, competitive edge at a time when the nation is working to strengthen its foothold in the 21st century global economy; and

Whereas, the arts provide the skills and knowledge students need to develop the creativity and determination necessary for success in the global information age; and

Whereas, extraordinary results occur where schools and communities delivering high quality learning opportunities in, through, and about the arts for children; and

Whereas, studies have found that schools in under-resourced environments with large populations of students in economic poverty who are highly involved in the arts have better grades, less likelihood of dropping out by grade ten, have more positive attitudes about school, and are more likely to go onto college; and

Whereas, attracting and retaining the best teachers is vital and can be achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the arts, becoming havens for creativity and innovation; and

Whereas, arts education has the power to make students want to learn not just within the arts, but other areas of study; and

Whereas, art is integral to the lives of all citizens and essential to the health and vitality of our communities.

Now Therefore I, John R. Marks, III, in order to raise awareness of the value and importance of arts in education for all our children at every level of education and to acknowledge the extraordinary teachers who provide these students with the very best arts education here in the city of Tallahassee, proclaim September 12- 18, 2010 as

Arts in Education Week

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