US House Resolution Designates March 16-22 as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week
Throughout the US the National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Affiliate Network Will Host More Than 500 Related Events and Programs
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House Arts Caucus has introduced a resolution to the House of Representatives designating the week of March 16-22, 2014 as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week. This week will honor the contributions Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) has made in schools nationwide through its arts-in-education programs and will encourage Americans to recognize the important contribution the arts make to society.
The House resolution, introduced by Representative Slaughter states that, “arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines… is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students." The House resolution also emphasizes that “arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills… which supports academic success nationwide as well as personal growth outside the classroom.”
National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week will be observed across the country by Young Audiences' affiliates with special events, school activities, long-term residencies, and performances promoting awareness of YA’s arts-in-education programs. It is estimated that more than 34,000 students will be participating in a Young Audiences Arts for Learning program during this week.
Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning is the nation’s leading source of arts in education services. YA’s mission is to inspire young people and to expand their learning through the arts. Its network of 30 affiliates with 4,400 teaching artists and 84,000 programs reaches almost 5 million children in 9,000 schools and community centers across the country. Its services include arts-integrated workshops and residencies, and professional learning opportunities for educators and artists.
The participating National Young Audiences affiliates are:
Arts Council of Kern, Bakersfield, California
Arts for Learning, Connecticut
Arts for Learning, Indiana
Arts for Learning, Miami, Florida
Center for Arts Inspired Learning, Ohio
Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Chicago, Illinois
COMPAS, St. Paul, Minnesota
Gateway to the Arts, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Kansas City Young Audiences, Missouri
Young Audiences Maryland
Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania
Young Audiences New York
Young Audiences of Houston
Young Audiences of Louisiana
Young Audiences of Massachusetts
Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington
Young Audiences of Northeast Texas
Young Audiences of Northern California
Young Audiences of Rochester, New York
Young Audiences of San Diego, California
Young Audiences of Virginia
Young Audiences of Western New York
Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Press Contact: Marcus Romero, Communications Manager, Young Audiences Arts for Learning
T: 212-860-1563 X108, E: marcus@ya.org
