ArtsNOW Shines as a Bright Spot for Early Literacy Through the Power of the Arts

by | Aug 21, 2025

A group of people enthusiastically dance in a circle in a carpeted conference room, smiling and laughing, embracing learning and joy in a changing world, while others sit and watch in the background.

ArtsNOW was recently featured in the Atlanta-based Saporta Report, highlighting how our arts-integrated approach is transforming the way students across Metro Atlanta engage with English Language Arts. ArtsNOW’s work has been recognized as a Learn4Life Bright Spot for Early Literacy. Schools across Metro Atlanta are seeing stronger engagement and measurable gains in reading proficiency, proving that the arts are not just an enhancement but a catalyst for learning.

  • At Powder Springs Elementary, third-grade ELA proficiency jumped a remarkable 15 percentage points compared to just 8 points in a paired comparison school
  • English Learners in Cobb’s KickstART schools supported by ArtsNOW saw 97% improve language proficiency, versus 74% in similar settings
  • At a SmART Literacy grant site, grade-level reading rose from 60% to 74% over five years, with ELA proficiency climbing 17%

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Dive into the full story and explore how this partnership is reshaping literacy across classrooms: Read “The Surprising Power of the Arts to Boost Literacy” on SaportaReport