Parents to share concerns with legislators on Arts Advocacy Day
DENVER - March 6, 2008 - Think 360 Arts, a Colorado-based arts education organization, released the results of a statewide study today suggesting that arts education will be on the minds of Colorado parents when they select their elected officials this November. Nearly 90 percent of respondents indicated that they would be more likely to vote for a candidate whose list of priorities included more access to the arts in school.
Think 360 Arts commissioned the study, sponsored by the Denver County Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, to explore the attitudes of Colorado parents on arts in education. A majority of the nearly 700 respondents were in favor of more arts in the classroom, both curricular and extracurricular, believing that the arts are important for preparing students for a variety of career choices and critical to a well-rounded education. Seven out of ten respondents also believe that funding for arts education is inadequate at the district, state and federal levels.
Parents and arts supporters will take their concerns about public investment in the arts and arts education to the Capitol this Friday, March 7, for Arts Advocacy Day. More than 75 participants will meet at the Denver Art Museum at 7:45 a.m. to discuss current legislative issues with Representative Michael Merrifield, chairman of the House Education Committee and co-chairman of the Legislative Arts Caucus, and proceed to the Capitol to lobby policymakers. Representative Karen Middleton and Bruce Caughey, deputy executive director for the Colorado Association of School Executives, will discuss arts education with the group during a luncheon to follow. Arts Advocacy Day is hosted by Think 360 Arts and the Center for Integrated Arts Education at the University of Northern Colorado. For more information, call 720-904-8890 or email
claudinel@think360arts.org.
"The amount of arts education in our schools is not enough," said Karen Andrews, a mother of three children attending Denver Public Schools. "We need our legislators to show support for arts education through both funding
and legislation that make the arts a critical ingredient in building successful 21 st century schools."
Results from the Think 360 Arts survey mirror a national study of 1,000 likely voters conducted by Lake Research Partners, identifying a group of swing voters who will take action to ensure fostering imagination becomes a stronger focus in public education. The so-called "imagination constituency" say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who publicly supports more funding for building imagination in schools.
"These studies confirm that meaningful education reform efforts - both locally and nationally - must include arts education," said Kathryn Hill, director of policy and planning at Think 360 Arts. "Parents understand that the arts are essential to, not only a complete education but to a strong economy and vibrant community. Politicians should take note that Colorado parents are deeply concerned for the state of arts education and will make their children's future a deciding factor in the upcoming election."
For more information on survey results or Think 360 Arts, call 720-904-8890 or visit
www.think360arts.org.
About Think 360 Arts Complete Education
Think 360 Arts is the leading provider of arts education programs and services in Colorado. The product of the Jan. 2007 merger of Young Audiences of Colorado and the Colorado Alliance for Arts Education, Think 360 Arts brings more than 70 years of combined experience in serving K-12 schools through teacher training, direct services to classrooms and public awareness programs. Through our national affiliations, years of experience in the field and increased capacity, we are working to ensure every Colorado child receives a complete education through the arts. For more information, please visit:
www.think360arts.org.