Every September, National Arts in Education Week reminds us that the arts are essential in education. At ArtsNOW, we are focused on integrating the arts into academic content. We want students to benefit from the arts in every classroom, not just fine arts classrooms.

Everyday, we see how the arts strengthen teaching and learning, helping young minds think critically, collaborate effectively, and connect their learning to the world around them. The arts illuminate learning, and this week provides us with the opportunity to spotlight their power and advocate for arts education in every classroom.

Whether you’re an educator, a family member, a supporter, or someone who simply believes in the power of the arts, you have a role you can play in advancing this message. Here are some meaningful ways you can advocate for the arts during National Arts in Education Week:

1. Share Your Story

Teachers can share an example of how arts-integrated learning has influenced student engagement or confidence in their classroom. Post on social media. Include it in your classroom or school email newsletter to parents. Volunteer to present at conferences and tell others about the power of arts integration. 

2. Connect with Policymakers

Reach out to your local and state representatives to express why funding for arts-integrated learning is critical. Even a brief email highlighting how the arts prepare students with 21st-century skills, such as creativity, communication, and critical thinking, can influence decisions.

What your email should do:

• Open with purpose. Name National Arts in Education Week and state that you are writing in support of ArtsNOW and the movement of arts-integrated learning.
• Establish who you are. Share your connection to ArtsNOW.
• Ground it in evidence. Reference credible research and local policy context so your request lands as essential, not optional. (See Section 3 with Quick Talking Points!)
• Make a clear, specific ask for the legislator to champion arts in education initiatives, and to support ArtsNOW, during National Arts in Education Week and beyond.

How to Find Your Legislators

Georgia

• Use the Georgia General Assembly’s official site: https://www.legis.ga.gov/members
• You can search by your address or county to find both your Georgia House and Senate representatives.

South Carolina

• Visit the South Carolina State Legislature’s website: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php
• Enter your address or select your district to identify your state legislators.

National (U.S. Congress)

• Use the official Congress lookup tool: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
• Input your ZIP code to find your U.S. Senators and Representatives in the House.

3. Celebrate Educators and Students

Use this week to spotlight educators who champion the arts in schools. A simple thank-you note, a social media shout-out, or a public acknowledgment can go a long way. Recognition not only affirms their work but also builds momentum for stronger, lasting support of arts education.

4. Amplify on Social Media

Help spread the impact of arts education by resharing ArtsNOW’s content throughout National Arts in Education Week. We’ll be posting stories, statistics, and highlights on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, sharing inspiring classroom moments to measurable outcomes in teacher and student growth. Every repost, story share, or like extends the reach of ArtsNOW’s work, inspires others to engage, and amplifies the transformative power of arts education.

5. Start the Conversation Locally

Discuss with parents, school leaders, and community members the importance of arts in education. Advocacy often begins in small conversations that ripple outward. By sharing evidence of student growth, teacher retention, and engagement, you help reshape how communities view the role of the arts in learning.

Talking Points & Statistics:

One of the most powerful forms of advocacy is sharing evidence. Here are a few key findings of ArtsNOW’s impact that you can use in conversations, emails, or social media.

• A 2025 study by the University of South Carolina’s Research, Evaluation, and Measurement (REM) Center examined ArtsNOW’s work across 47 schools and 806 educators.
  • Eight out of ten teachers reported that ArtsNOW increased their confidence in teaching and influenced their decision to remain in the profession
  • 95% of teachers reported increased student engagement
  • 90% of educators reported a positive impact on classroom climate.
• Since 2006, ArtsNOW has reached 616 schools in 71 school districts, reaching 99,212 educators and 448,923 students.

These talking points are designed to ground your advocacy in data and credibility while showing the scale of impact already achieved.

Your voice matters.
National Arts in Education Week is more than a celebration. It's a call to action. With your support, we can ensure that every student, regardless of where they live, has access to meaningful, creative learning experiences that prepare them for a thriving future.

Make an Impact, One Gift at a Time

One of the most immediate ways you can support this movement is through ArtsNOW’s Impact Gifts. These gifts transform advocacy into action. $100 can provide a student with a full-day STEAM Saturday experience, $750 can sponsor a teacher’s personalized coaching, and $50,000 could sponsor a school for an entire year! During National Arts in Education Week, we invite you to make an Impact Gift that fuels creativity, strengthens achievement, and ensures nearly half a million students continue to benefit from the power of arts-integrated learning. Please visit /artsnow.betterworld.org/campaigns/impact-giving to get started with your Impact Gift!

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%

Read More:

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

Teacher retention is a national challenge that demands urgent attention. According to a National Education Policy Center analysis of federal Schools and Staffing Survey data, between 40–50% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years. Burnout, lack of support, and challenging classroom environments are common reasons educators step away. Yet, those who stay often cite meaningful relationships with students, a positive classroom climate, and a renewed passion for teaching as key motivators.

Arts integration is proving to be a powerful solution. At ArtsNOW, we see firsthand how creativity transforms classrooms and reinvigorates teachers. Research from the University of South Carolina’s Research Evaluation and Measurement (REM) Center reveals that 89% of teachers say participating in arts integration positively impacts their classroom climate, creating an environment where both students and teachers feel connected and engaged.

“Thank y’all so much for all that you do! These PLs are my favorite, and I always come out of them feeling more confident and excited about teaching!” shares one 1st-grade teacher after attending an ArtsNOW professional learning session. It’s this renewed confidence that sparks long-term commitment.

Improved relationships with students are another critical benefit of arts integration. Teachers overwhelmingly report that it strengthens these bonds, with 91% affirming a positive impact. One school administrator reflects, “Your sessions are renewing my interest in the field of education and providing new ways to educate students,” underscoring how professional learning in arts integration fuels fresh enthusiasm and effective teaching strategies.

This new energy is essential, especially when teachers face overwhelming pressures. “I feel like the past few months, I’ve been in survival mode. This conference helped ignite my spark!” shared one educator after attending our 2025 Foundational Seminar, illustrating how arts-integrated learning opportunities provide crucial professional and emotional support.

Beyond personal fulfillment, the numbers tell a compelling story: According to research from a federal literacy grant, nearly 70% of participating teachers reported they are more likely to stay in the profession if they can use arts integration strategies. Teacher confidence also increased significantly over the course of the grant, with self-ratings rising from 2.9 at baseline to 4.2 by the end of the grant. This shows that when teachers are supported with innovative tools and engaging professional learning, they don’t just survive—they thrive.

At ArtsNOW, we are committed to transforming education by embedding the arts into learning experiences. Our work supports teachers in building resilient, vibrant classrooms that benefit both educators and students alike.

If you believe in the power of arts integration to strengthen and retain teachers, consider donating to expand this work in more schools. And if you’re a school leader eager to explore how ArtsNOW can work with your school to boost teacher satisfaction and student engagement, let’s connect.