When discussing STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics—it’s easy to focus on the traditionally technical fields and leave the “A” out altogether. After all, these are what some people say truly matter when preparing students for their futures: hard skills that drive economic growth and technological advancement.

However, these people might not realize that the arts are an essential piece of STEAM. By integrating the arts, STEAM becomes more than just a collection of technical disciplines; it expands into a dynamic, process-driven and engaging approach to education. Arts integration in STEAM enriches learning and fuels innovation. It prepares students for the future by blending academic knowledge with critical soft skills.

ArtsNOW has been at the forefront of arts-integrated education, showing how the “A” transforms STEAM into a holistic, student-centered approach that prepares students for the future.

1. Fostering Creativity, Communication, and Problem Solving

The arts encourage students to think outside the box, a skill critical for success in the modern world. By combining creative and analytical thinking, students learn to approach challenges from multiple perspectives, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The arts play a crucial role in this process by enhancing communication and teaching students to articulate ideas effectively through storytelling, visual expression, and persuasive techniques. These are essential skills for future leaders and innovators. By developing the ability to communicate clearly and confidently, students not only become better at engaging their audience but also gain the tools to present ideas effectively and navigate complex situations with creativity.

A 2024 study conducted by the Research, Evaluation, and Measurement Center at the University of South Carolina showed that 96% of teachers in ArtsNOW partner schools saw a positive impact on students’ key communication skills, while 95% reported a positive impact on students’ ability to build knowledge and explore questions. These skills are foundational for success in school, careers, and life, empowering students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. This data underscores the importance of the arts in enhancing critical skills essential for success in a STEAM-driven curriculum.

2. Building Connections Across Subjects

Arts integration with STEAM connects science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in ways that foster deeper understanding and creativity across all subjects. For example, a high school mathematics lesson from ArtsNOW uses self-portrait drawing to explore proportionality and ratios, blending artistic expression with mathematical concepts. Using self-portrait drawing to teach proportionality helps students connect math to real life in a fun and creative way. It not only makes learning more engaging but also helps students better understand ratios while encouraging creative problem-solving.

ArtsNOW proudly works with the Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) Expanded Learning Programs to provide inspiring STEAM enrichment and outreach for K-12 students, bringing innovative STEAM educational outreach opportunities to thousands of students annually.

"Art transforms innovation into inspiration, data into design, and science into storytelling. Together, STEAM builds a world where creativity and technology shape the future. ArtsNOW has fostered that idea in every session they have facilitated across Georgia Tech Atlanta's STEAM Programs,” said Eric Koonce, Program Director at CEISMC. “Whether they are engineering 3D models of rainforests, designing clothing and textile masterpieces, or creating amazing sounds of music; ArtsNOW has been instrumental in integrating the Arts in STEAM for our programs."

3. Creating STEAM-Certified Classrooms That Inspire

In STEAM-certified classrooms, teachers from different disciplines collaborate to create meaningful, interdisciplinary learning experiences. Schools pursuing STEAM certification in Georgia must demonstrate how they connect standards across grade levels and subjects—including the arts—to foster cohesive learning that resonates with students. STEAM certification sets a high standard for integrating the arts into education. It encourages schools to adopt innovative practices, such as collaborative teaching, problem-based learning, and partnerships with arts specialists and community organizations.

These certified classrooms empower students to see the arts as a vital component of their learning journey. Through ArtsNOW, educators gain the tools and strategies needed to bring the “A” in STEAM to life, helping students connect creativity with real-world problem-solving.

The arts are not just an enhancement to STEAM—they’re the key to unlocking its full potential. Through ArtsNOW, students and educators experience the transformative power of STEAM education. ArtsNOW offers professional learning opportunities for educators that provide arts-integrated, engaging strategies directly aligned to content standards! Connect with us to learn how to get started.

Not in education? You can still inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and creators by supporting ArtsNOW. Make a meaningful difference and donate today by texting GIVE to 844-600-3095 or clicking here.

Imagine a classroom where students light up with curiosity and creativity as they learn the Bill of Rights through dance, explore animal life through music, or create abstract art to master geometry. These are examples of arts integration, an innovative educational approach that is our driving force at ArtsNOW.

ArtsNOW provides teachers with professional learning to help them incorporate the arts—visual, dance, theatre, music, and digital—into their academic lessons. As a nationally recognized nonprofit with over 20 years of proven success, we work to transform education through the arts.

Schools often lack access to engaging teaching strategies that help students succeed. ArtsNOW fills this gap, making arts integration accessible to teachers and students where it’s needed most. $0.88 of every dollar goes directly to our mission, maximizing the impact of your donation.

When you donate to ArtsNOW, you’re not just giving money — you’re creating opportunities. Here’s how your donation impacts students, their teachers, and families:

1. Support Arts Access in K-12 Schools

Your donation brings arts-integrated learning to K-12 schools, helping students experience more engaging, hands-on lessons that deepen understanding and boost academic achievement in environments. At one of our arts-integrated schools, the percentage of third graders reading on grade level increased from 57% to 77% in just one year. Your donation provides resources and professional learning that empower educators and inspire students.

2. Inspire and Engage Students

Not all students connect with traditional teaching methods. ArtsNOW equips teachers with strategies to make learning dynamic, inclusive, and fun. By integrating the arts into core subjects, students better understand challenging material and develop a lifelong love for learning. 94% of teachers report increased student engagement with arts-integrated lessons.

3. Help Families Support Learning at Home

Learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. ArtsNOW’s digital library offers parents tools and activities that make supporting their child’s education at home simple and enjoyable. With your help, ArtsNOW is able to ensure families have the tools they need for their children to thrive at school and at home.

ArtsNOW is equipping the students of today to be the leaders of tomorrow, giving them the tools they need to succeed in today’s world. Your support ensures that we can continue transforming classrooms, inspiring students, and empowering educators. 96% of teachers see a strong improvement in students’ communication skills, critical for leadership and teamwork both in and out of the classroom.

Together, we can bring learning to life. Donate today by texting GIVE to 844-600-3095 or click here to donate and make a lasting difference!

Imagine walking into a classroom where students not only learn math and history but also feel truly seen, heard, and valued. A space where their creativity thrives, their emotions are understood, and their cultural identities are celebrated. For many students, these experiences are rare but essential, especially in a world where they face emotional challenges shaped by stress, trauma, and uncertainty.

At ArtsNOW, we believe that arts in education can be a powerful tool to address these challenges, and that’s why we are proud to be part of the RAISE (Responsive Arts in School Education) project.

RAISE is a five-year, multi-state initiative developed by Young Audiences Arts for Learning and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive arts education residencies to support students' academic and emotional well-being.

At its core, RAISE is about nurturing both hearts and minds. As an affiliate of National Young Audiences, ArtsNOW is honored to have our team members participate in this training opportunity.

Why RAISE Matters

The students we serve today are facing unprecedented levels of stress. From social pressures to the impacts of the pandemic, the need for emotional and cultural support in the classroom has never been greater. RAISE (Responsive Arts in School Education) addresses this by focusing on three crucial pillars:

• social-emotional learning,
• trauma-informed practice, and
• cultural relevance.

Through these pillars, RAISE equips teaching artists and educators with tools to create classrooms that nurture both hearts and minds. By participating in RAISE, ArtsNOW deepens its commitment to arts-integrated education, ensuring students feel supported and connected.

Transforming Classrooms in Metro Atlanta

RAISE training is incredibly impactful for ArtsNOW’s work with partner schools like Hillside Conant and Youth Villages (Inner Harbour Campus), residential schools supporting students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Our Theatre Consultants Barry Stewart Mann and Susie Purcell are bringing the RAISE training to life in these settings.

For example, Barry recently completed a residency at Hillside, working with 6th-9th grade students. Through storytelling and folktales, Barry helped students explore emotions, connect with their cultural heritage, and build social-emotional skills.

His work exemplifies how the RAISE project’s pillars come together to transform learning:

• Social-Emotional Wellbeing: Storytelling helps students express and reflect on their emotions, fostering empathy and emotional resilience.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: Barry created a safe, creative space for students to process their emotions without fear or judgment.
• Cultural Relevance: By choosing folktales from various cultures, Barry and the Hillside teachers celebrated the students’ diverse backgrounds and cultural heritage, with inspiration from Hispanic Heritage Month.

Additionally, Barry and the teachers plan to create an audio-visual retelling of the stories with each class, giving students ownership of the narratives and fostering teamwork, creative thinking, and confidence.

Building a Lasting Impact

The residency at Hillside is just one example of how ArtsNOW’s participation in RAISE is expanding our approach to arts in education. We are using the arts to help students navigate their emotional worlds, build connections, and embrace their identities. This approach fosters a deeper, more meaningful educational experience.

Through RAISE, ArtsNOW is part of a growing movement that recognizes the arts as a critical tool for healing, connection, and growth. Our team members are gaining new skills to meet their students' emotional and cultural needs while creating innovative, arts-integrated lessons that align with academic goals.

We believe every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel valued, their voices are heard, and their creativity is encouraged. Through our affiliate partnership with Young Audiences, we are making that vision a reality, one classroom at a time.

Would you like to learn more? Register to attend the Demonstration of Learning Day at Hillside Conant December 5, 2024. ArtsNOW invites you to tour the school, meet the teachers, and see arts-integrated lessons in action. Click here for details.